Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the grants, financial supports or incentives available to encourage the development and sustainability of the music industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28271/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the policy measures in place or to be introduced to support and develop the music industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28272/08]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will advise on a matter (details supplied). [28988/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 333, 334 and 344 together.

The Government's priorities for the Arts are set out in the Programme for Government and are elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy and the Arts Plan 2008, which has been placed in the Oireachtas Library. My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life.

In so far as my Department is concerned, specific support to the music industry and particularly to new and emerging artists is provided through the Business Expansion Scheme (BES), as extended to the Music Industry, with effect from 6 April 1996, and for which I am the certifying authority. The extension of the Business Expansion Scheme to the Music Industry represented recognition by the Government of the increasing value of our cultural and heritage sectors in terms of employment creation, value added and generation of wealth. The BES for Music was specifically targeted to stimulate investment in the production, publication, marketing and promotion of new and emerging talent, and is now extended to 2013.