Applications for the 2022 Music & Entertainment Assistance Scheme will close on February 17th, so make sure you're up to speed about eligibility.

Businesses whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities operating exclusively within the live entertainment sector may apply. Musicians and singers of all genres are eligible to apply, as are sound engineers, lighting engineers, audio engineers, stage managers, stage technicians, sound and lighting equipment suppliers, live-streaming equipment suppliers and full-time Disc Jockeys.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on those in the live entertainment sector. The Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme was launched last year as a targeted support for businesses operating solely in the live entertainment sector that did not qualify for other business supports (such as CRSS).

MEBAS is aimed at those venues and sole traders significantly impacted by the restrictions introduced by the government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the pandemic.

As part of the €50 million in supports for 2022 for the Live Entertainment sector, €4 million has been allocated to MEBAS 2022. MEBAS grants will be paid on a monthly rate (Monthly Grant Payment Rate MGPR) that's 15% of the value of the average monthly turnover of the business for the reference year.

MEBAS 2022 will be paid for six months, from January 2022 to June 2022, similar to the supports being offered under broader Live Entertainment LPSS supports. Therefore, the grant awarded will equal the Monthly Grant Payment Rate MGPR multiplied by six.

A minimum grant of €1,500 will be paid and the maximum award is €12,500.

“Our experience on the initial scheme was that a lot of people didn’t think they were eligible,” Jackie Conboy of MEAI told Hot Press. “As a result a significant amount of the money allocated for the scheme wasn’t taken up. We’re anxious that everyone who would be entitled to the support gets an application in on time.”

“No one who is entitled to a grant should lose out,” Jackie Conboy added. “So many people have been driven out of hte industry as a result of Covid, but hopefully this scheme will help some of those who have been experiencing real difficulties."

MEAI have requested an extension of the deadline, and this has been supported by other reading industry bodies. However the working assumption for now has to be that the original deadline of Thursday, February 17th will stand.

To apply for MEBAS 2022, click here.

NOW OPEN 🕐

The Music & Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme 2022 #MEBAS2022 is now open for applications.

Supports are available for

🟢Musicians & Singers
🟢Light & Sound Engineers
🟢Stage Managers & Technicians
🟢Full-time DJs & more

Apply now➡️https://t.co/FrhnJ2K4ds pic.twitter.com/P62z9uewmX

— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) January 27, 2022