Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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429. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had any engagement with stakeholders in the music industry in terms of the establishment of a music industry task force, with wide representation and which would examine a range of issues including the impact of intellectual property and copyright legislation and enforcement in both the music and technology industries, supports for the business of music education and a dedicated office similar to the Irish Film Board for the music sector. [37072/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Intellectual property rights, including copyright law, are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and I understand that she is reviewing copyright legislation at present.

The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural andcreative industries to Ireland, including the music industry. Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including music, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council in Budget 2017, delivering an in crease of €5m, or 8%, in the Council's 2017 allocation. This will enable the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations around the country, including musicians, in line with its strategy, Making Great Art Work, which prioritises support for the artist and public engagement.

In addition, my Department, through its Culture Ireland programme, provides supports for Irish artists and musicians to travel abroad and develop their careers. I am pleased that I secured a significant increase in the baseline funding for Culture Ireland from €2.5m in 2016 to €3.5m in 2017.

My Department also provides support for music through its funding of the Music Capital Scheme, which is delivered by Music Network, as well as providing significant funding to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the largest organisation in the State involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music.

The IMRO report, 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. The broader issue of cultural policy is also considered in the draft framework policy Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025,which was forwarded to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July. I will be happy to consider any response which the Committee makes to the draft document.