Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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18. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will commit to engaging with stakeholders within the music industry to produce a national music strategy for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10141/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is tasked with stimulating public interest, promoting the practice and improving standards in the arts, including music.

As part of this statutory remit, I am happy to confirm to the Deputy that, in 2023, the Arts Council published "Advancing Music – Music Policy and Strategy" and an accompanying Implementation Plan. The purpose of "Advancing Music" is to provide a clear framework to guide the Council’s future decision-making in its development and support of music, as well as setting out current strategic priorities. The implementation plan provides an initial framework of actions to give effect to this and outlines how the Council will plan its work in music in the coming years.

The policy, strategy statement, and actions were developed in 2022 and 2023 following widespread sectoral and public consultation and research. This included direct contributions from 628 individuals and organisations in the music community and also took into account the 2021 Arts Insight research commissioned by the Council.

The Council’s music policy focuses on areas such as the development of musical skills, education and creativity as well as supporting the development of music artists and other music professionals. The policy and strategy is supported by thirty-nine initial actions. These include actions focused on areas such as participation, artist development, venues. I look forward to updates from the Arts Council on the implementation of these actions and their plans for a follow-up action plan.

The Deputy may also be interested to know that separately my Department provides funding to organisations and talented individuals to assist with the purchase of musical instruments under the Music Capital Scheme. This scheme has been operated by Music Network on behalf of the Department for the past 15 years and was awarded record funding of €1,090,700 for the Music Capital Scheme in 2024. Since it was established over €3,543,590 in funding has been awarded through 652 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 59,000 people across the country.

My Department provides a range of additional supports benefitting musicians including the Basic Income for the Arts research project, under the Culture Ireland programme, through the National Concert Hall and targeted measures in the Night Time Economy.