Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn is encouraging people in Tipperary to apply for the 2022 strand of the
Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS).
Senator Garret Ahearn said, “Performers and people in the music industry such as crew, who are
impacted by covid restrictions, should now prepare to apply for the Music and Entertainment Business
Assistance Scheme announced by Government today.
“€4m has been set aside for this scheme as part of the €50m in supports allocated to the Live
Entertainment Sector by Government for 2022.
“Many in the music industry found themselves ineligible for the CRSS (Covid Restrictions Support
Scheme), so we supported over 1,000 such people through the MEBAS Scheme in 2021.This scheme
is similar to CRSS in that it provides grants of up to the value of 15% of the average monthly VAT-
exclusive turnover prior to the pandemic. It is designed to support those in the music industry who have
been severely impacted by covid with their overheads.
“To be eligible individuals/sole traders will need to demonstrate that their 2021 turnover was no more
than 40% of their average turnover prior to the pandemic. Self-employed individuals and sole traders
including performers such as musicians, singers, DJ’s lighting and sound crew, audio equipment
suppliers will be eligible to apply.
“The MEBAS Scheme supplements the other Government schemes supporting the music and live
entertainment sector including,
€5m LPSS 2 – Pantomime scheme
€20m LPSS 3 – Scheme to cover December/January cancellations
€5m Local Live Performance Support Scheme (LLPSS)
€4m Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS)
€5m (capital) Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
€1m St. Patricks Festival
“Government has made this scheme simpler and easier to access. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts,
Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, has confirmed that the guidelines go live on her
Department’s website next Tuesday 25th January and the scheme will open for applications on
Thursday 27 th January.
“The grant will be paid for six months from January 2022 to June 2022 to assist self-employed
performers, sole traders and businesses which have seen significant reductions in their turnover due to
the COVID-19. This will help them rebuild as we move towards reopening the economy in 2022.”