Music Industry worth over €470m to Irish economy

A new report has found that the music industry is worth nearly half a billion euro to the Irish economy. Commissioned by IMRO and produced by Deloitte, it placed the industry's total 2012 GVA contribution at €473 million (0.3% of our GDP).
The sector supported 11,510 jobs in 2012, with 9,030 of them directly employed in the industry.
The report examined the areas of growth and opportunities when it comes to indigenous music's socio-economic contribution, with a number of key recommendations offered.
Speaking at the launch in Dublin, IMRO CEO Victor Finn (pictured, right) called for the establishment of a Music Industry Taskforce to implement its recommendations. The Taskforce would have representatives from government, business community and industry itself and, said Finn, would have "a limited lifespan" to prevent it becoming an "endless committee."
Also suggested was the establishment of a new Music Office, referred to as "Music Ireland", to act as a focal point for the industry, similar to the role the Irish Film Board plays in its particular sector.
The appointment of an 'IP Tsar' was suggested, which would focus on the impact of IP and copy legislation and enforcement. In 2012, 27% of EU users were visiting an unlicensed music site at least once a month. Current figures are not known, though Finn acknowledged the figure has fallen thanks to the growth of licensed streaming sites such as Spotify.
Finn said they would not be looking to prosecute people were involved in downloading or streaming from unlicensed sites. "Not at all," he affirmed. "I've never advocated that." Instead, they seek co-operation with ISPs, as protecting new music and artists is "in their interests."
Making tax reliefs as efficient and effective as possible and a need for improved education was also looked at. Overall, an increased emphasis on collaboration between music, tourism, gaming and technology sectors, as well as improvements in education, are required.
Recorded music sales fell from €72m to €33m between 2008 and 2012, though "the live scene is buoyant".
If its recommendations are implemented, IMRO say we can increase the industry's GVA by between €14m and €25m per annum above its baseline .
Artists Brian Kennedy and Luan Parle were present at the launch and welcomed the report's findings.
"I was really fascinating to see all those figures," said Kennedy. "We absolutely have to find our own identity here now. How can we possibly go into the rest of the world if we're not proud of our own achievements?'
Both Kennedy and Parle called for an increase in the amount of play Irish artists gets on Irish radio, with Parle bemoaning the lack of early guidance and support available for musicians.
"Education is so important," says Parle. "I was really glad to see that in the report as well. Doing my Leaving Cert, I remember going into the guidance counsellor. 'And what do you want to do Luan?' Well, I want to be a professional musician. 'Okay, so what's your real job going to be?' That's what I want to do, that's what I want to be. There was absolutely no help whatsoever. I was just pushed aside really. I felt there was no education."
"Personally," she continued, "I bought a copy of the Hot Press Yearbook! That's what I did. And I sent random letters and CDs out to everyone."
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys was not present, though she has commented: "I look forward to working further with the music industry as my Department develops our first ever national cultural policy; Culture 2025. "
Finn said that their recommendations dovetailed with Culture 2025 and that they had met with the Department earlier that morning and received a "positive response".
You can read the full report here