Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
255. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the decision was made not to establish different categories of music industry support package schemes to ensure up-and-coming and struggling artists were not forced to compete with established, successful and well-known artists for the same funding. [43497/20]
View answerThe introduction of the Music Industry Support Package this year was the first time this type of support was offered and it was designed to meet the needs of the whole of the music sector in these unprecedented times. It covered all music genres and had three components, song writing, album release and recording.
Both up-and-coming and well established artists have been affected by COVID-19 owing to restrictions on touring and live performance. A wide range of musicians have been awarded support but demand for the schemes outweighed available funds. It is my intention to consider future supports for the music sector in 2021 and the feedback from this year's pilot schemes, including feedback received directly by my Department from musicians and representative groups, will inform planning on support for the music sector in future years.
