Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2015
40. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the support her Department provides for Irish music and Irish produced music; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16828/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry.
My Department provides significant support to the industry through its funding of the Arts Council, capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure, and through other financial and policy supports. I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to society and to the music industry.
Last year, in response to a proposal from the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (IASCA), a capital grant of €50,000 from my Department was awarded for the purpose of introducing a digital music system to be available to all Irish musicians and to Irish broadcasters. This system will assist in the assessment of the amount of radio airplay of music which is output from the Irish music industry.
