Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
280. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) expressed an interest in distributing the music industry stimulus package before being approached by her Department; and if not, if her Department initiated contact with the organisation to offer it the role. [11687/21]
View answerI introduced the Music Industry Support Package (MISP) in 2020 to help meet the needs of the whole of the music sector in these unprecedented times. This was the first time this type of support was offered to the music industry and it was designed in a time of crisis and at short notice to cover all music genres. It had three key components, song writing, album release and recording to ensure support across the wide range of talent working in the industry from creation to recording and promotion.
My Department considered that, due to its considerable experience in managing applications, and expert knowledge of the music sector, the organisation to which the Deputy refers would be best placed to administer the Music Industry Stimulus Package in an efficient, timely and cost effective fashion, having regard to the immediate pressures being faced by the sector. My Department initiated a Performance Delivery Agreement with the organisation in question to cover the administration of the MISP.
The organisation to which the Deputy refers is the lead national music organisation for resourcing musicians and the independent music sector in Ireland. My Department has a well established working relationship with the organisation. It is funded both by my Department for international promotion of musicians as well as by the Arts Council and as such, it was considered to offer an effective way of administering the MISP.
