To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for an update on the reopening of theatres; (ii) what conversations she has had with the arts community on this subject; and (iii) to detail any future plans for funding support beyond that already announced.

Theatres and concert halls are permitted to open for rehearsals or live recording without an audience and much great work has continued to be done.

I have engaged with people right across the arts sector and I have heard directly the impact the closure of theatres has had on the staff who normally work there. I also recognise the impact the restriction has had on theatre audiences.

Decisions in relation to restrictions are matters for the Executive. The restrictions are aimed at mitigating the risks of transmission of the virus; they are intended to be temporary in nature and will be relaxed and ultimately removed as soon as circumstances allow.

I will continue to provide support to the organisations and individuals who work across the arts and wider creative economy. Since the COVID-19 restrictions have been in place the Arts Council, on behalf of my department, has:

delivered two programmes for individuals, with grants totalling £4.427m being paid to 1313 individuals;

delivered two rounds of funding for organisations, with grants totalling £2.85m to 212 organisations; and

delivered two capital programmes for arts and cultural organisations to help them prepare to safely reopen following the Covid-19 pandemic, with grants totalling £1,075,335 to 108 organisations.

A further significant programme, the Stability and Renewal Programme for Organisations closed to applications on 27 November and a third programme for individuals will open on 17 December. Information on this programme is available already on the Arts Council website.