Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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7. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures she is taking to promote the commercial, educational and export possibilities of the indigenous music industry here, which according to a recent report commissioned by the Irish Music Rights Organisation could open up significant opportunities in the short, medium and long term; if her Department has studied the Canadian and Icelandic music industry models, which include both macro and micro initiatives for musicians; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10191/15]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Irish Music Rights Organisation, IMRO, report is the latest in a long line of studies calling for the strategic development of the Irish music industry and repeating a number of recommendations on how to nurture our home-grown musical ability through education, training and promotion abroad with a focus on new talent. To date, policy-makers have almost completely ignored these studies. What concrete measures does the Minister plan on taking to implement to recommendations of the latest report? Can we believe there will be more meaningful action for our artists this time around?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The 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's capital budget 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 directing royalties to Irish musicians. The recent IMRO report referred to in the Deputy's question, entitled The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy, highlights the impressive contribution the music industry makes to the Irish economy. The report contains a broad range of recommendations for which several Ministers have responsibility. My Department will be examining those of relevance to my areas of responsibility. In this regard, the report will also be of relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, which will be entitled culture 2025, and I look forward to working further with the music industry as part of that process. I intend to publish a culture 2025 discussion paper shortly, which will be an important step in opening up the debate around how we should shape the future of the arts in Ireland, including music.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The tax exemptions of which the Minister spoke are for people who are already on their feet in the game, whereas IMRO has focused on those trying to start up. These are the people who need to be helped. The report recognises the difficulties faced by early career musicians and has called for business training and financial support. Most of those starting their careers in the cultural industries recognise the dole as a necessary fact of life. Although they are trying to start a career, they have to declare themselves unemployed, as if they were doing nothing at all. Apart from being liable to be caught in a compulsory Gateway or JobBridge scheme to retain their dole, the point is that what they are trying to do in the music industry is not recognised and has no status. The Government must introduce a structure to change the situation.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I will examine the areas of the report for which I have responsibility. Business training support is provided by the local enterprise offices, LEOs, to help those who want to start their own businesses. I fully appreciate the major contribution Irish music makes to our culture. Our culture is so important to us, and appears on every brochure that leaves the country. That is why I want to ensure it is continued. This will be the first time we will have put together a cultural policy to state the importance of our culture to us and to outline all the different areas it encompasses and to which it relates. It is important that the document be published and that we get buy-in. I hope to have the draft document shortly and I want people to feed into it and make their views known.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Although the Minister says the people in the music industry are valued, due to the lack of structure, they do not feel that their worth is being recognised. Has the Government examined other countries such as Iceland, which responded to its financial crash in 2008 by investing in a creative economy? Iceland's creative industries contribute as much to the country's economic turnover as the aluminium industry, which dominates its export market. The success is due to focusing public funding on the export of home-grown acts and the nurturing of interest in Icelandic music abroad through artists' grants and travel supports such as the Icelandic Music Export, IMX, fund. It is possible to change how things are and it would be a great investment on the part of the State. Has the Minister had any consultation with the Department of Social Protection regarding a mechanism to assist with the living conditions of artists in a way that does not require them to declare themselves unemployed?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While I am not aware that my Department has studied the Canadian and Icelandic models, I hear what the Deputy is saying and I will examine those models to see if we can use some of their ideas to the benefit of our music industry. Music is very important to us and very much part of our culture and part of what we are. I have considered the social protection issue and I will discuss it with the Department of Social Protection regarding supports that can be put in place. Aosdána provides a continuous income for those artists who are part of it. I have considered the issue and will give it further consideration.