Minister Martin extends popular Night-Time Economy Support Scheme
- Published on: 27 July 2022
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
- Minister Catherine Martin announces extension of the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme to support off-peak entertainment in venues across the country
- an additional €1.4 million has been allocated to support entertainment in off-peak times to increase footfall in our cities and towns later in the evening and night-time, bringing total to €4 million
- pubs, nightclubs, cafés and other suitable licensed and unlicensed premises may apply
- funding will be available to trial a series of cultural activities (minimum number of 4 events), with a maximum grant of €10,000 available per application
- events such as music, including electronic music, comedy, dance, literature, poetry, theatrical productions, plays, craft and art/photographic exhibitions will be funded
- this Scheme will reopen for applications at 12 noon on 27 July 2022 and it will remain open until 12 noon on 10 August 2022 or until the fund is exhausted, whichever occurs first
Minister Catherine Martin has today extended the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme with an additional investment of €1.4 million bringing the total allocated to this Scheme to €4 million. The Scheme will be extended until 12 noon on 10 August or until the funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
The Night-Time Economy Support Scheme (NTESS) was launched on 22 June providing funding of €2.6 million to pubs, nightclubs, cafés and other suitable licenced/unlicensed premises to support the provision of entertainment during off-peak times. The aim is to promote an increase in footfall in our cities, towns and villages as well as providing artists with paying gigs and customers with a more alternative, diverse and inclusive night-time offering.
This initiative is in support of 2 recommendations in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. The Scheme has proved popular with industry and venue owners willing to stimulate the Night-Time Economy in their areas and Minister Martin has now increased the funding available and reopened the Scheme.
- Speaking today, Minister Martin said:
“The level of interest and enthusiasm for the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme has been overwhelming. A whole host of businesses and venues operating in the Night-Time Economy have submitted innovative and exciting proposals to help stimulate night-time activity in our cities, towns and villages right across the country. I know many were disappointed when the Scheme closed but I am delighted now to be able to extend the Scheme with an additional €1.4 million. I would like to thank the industry representative organisations for their support in promoting this Scheme.”
Minister Martin continued:
“This Scheme offers an opportunity for businesses and artists to work together to try something new and see what works for them and for their customers. I hope this will help to build a more sustainable night-time offering across the country."
Applications can be made for the scheme through the dedicated application website from 12 noon today. Anyone who has submitted a full application and received an acknowledgement need not reapply.
Applications are invited under 2 separate strands:
Strand A: Licensed premises –pubs, restaurants and wine bars, nightclubs and other suitable licensed premises that operate in the Evening and Night-Time Economy, who want to trial a series of events/cultural activities (minimum of 4 events) during off peak times from Monday to Thursday (excluding weekends) from 6pm onwards.
Strand B: Unlicensed premises – cafés, including cafés that may have their premises in a retail outlet, dry bars, local galleries and other suitable non-licensed premises, who want to trial a series of events/cultural activities (minimum of 4 events) in the later evening or night-time hours from 6pm, with a commitment to open until at least 9pm in the evening, from Monday to Sunday.
The entertainment/cultural events must be of a participative or performance nature and can include but not limited to the following:
- live music, including electronic music, performance
- comedy nights
- dance either performed or a participative event
- literature or poetry nights
- theatrical productions or plays
- craft events
- art/photographic exhibitions
The Night-Time Economy Support Scheme has been developed in consultation with representatives from the night-time economy sector.
Notes
The NTE Support Scheme opened for applications on 21 June 2022 with a funding allocation of €2.6 million. The Scheme closed on 20 July due to the high number of applications and has now reopened with an additional €1.4 million bringing the total allocated to this Scheme to €4 million.