Síle de Valera
Question:21 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht whether he believes that there will be a small take-up of the business expansion scheme if it is introduced for the music industry. [24807/96]
Written Answers. - Business Expansion Scheme.
I have already stated that I would not be surprised if I were to find that the extension of the BES scheme to the music industry does not, in its first year of operation, totally meet the needs of the industry. The scheme will be kept under review, however, and I will be looking to the industry to maximise its potential.
The guidelines which have been agreed between myself and the Minister for Finance set the parameters for the extension of the business expansion scheme to the music industry, and they were made available to the interested parties from the end of August this year. The main thrust of the extended scheme is to ensure that additional investment will be focused where it is intended on new and emerging artists. There are a number of conditions to be addressed by anyone seeking to avail of the business expansion scheme for investment in the music industry, and these are detailed in the agreed guidelines.