Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021
205. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the administration costs payable to a maximum of €83,000 for the management of the music industry support package is in addition to or to be included within the €1.7 million allocated to the package. [8012/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI introduced the Music Industry Support Package 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 to cover all music genres and had three components, song writing, album release and recording.
The administration of the schemes was managed by First Music Contact on behalf of my Department. Under the terms of a Performance Delivery Agreement there is a maximum amount of €83,000 payable to FMC for the management of the €1.7 million Music Industry Support Package. All payments made to FMC are strictly on the basis of receipted administration costs.
The administration costs for the Music Industry Stimulus Package of €83,000, are included in the €1.7m allocated to the Package. The costs include panel assessments, manager for the schemes, accountant, digital, legal, banking, and audit charges. The management of the three schemes from setting up systems, mentoring applicants, management and assessment of applications, payments of awards and managing reports and outcomes of schemes involved staff other than the MISP Manager and these other human resource costs are being covered by FMC.
