Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
214. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of each music industry support package scheme that was paid respectively to a company and an organisation (details supplied), to public relations or communications companies and to artists. [8021/21]
View answerYangaroo is a music distribution company based in Dublin. I understand that it is the only company of its kind in Ireland available to the independent music sector which delivers songs to radio, press and industry from one portal.
When releasing music, it is important that artists are able to distribute as widely as possible. Distribution has a significant cost but is recognised as a vital cog in stimulating activity in the sector. Accordingly, I understand that First Music Contact (FMC), who is managing the Music Industry Stimulus Package on behalf of the Department, negotiated a favourable reduced rate with the company on behalf of all successful applicants to ensure wide distribution of the supported album releases.
The album release scheme for which €280,000 was awarded is the only scheme for which Yangaroo services were negotiated. I understand that to date, FMC has paid €14,000 for Yangaroo services on the basis of 28 redeemed vouchers of €500 each. As the remaining 28 album release awardees present vouchers for use of Yangaroo services, FMC will provide payment to that company. The total payment on this basis will not exceed €28,000.
The total paid to artists by way of grants for Songwriting Camps is €443,122 and the total paid to artists by way of grants for Album Recording is €897,102.53
The breakdown of the amount paid to individual public relations or communications companies out of those grants will be extracted and included in the final report by FMC to my Department but this is not available at this stage as not all activity under schemes has been completed owing to ongoing Covid restrictions.
