Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, has released new details indicating the success of the department’s Music Industry Stimulus Package (MISP).

With its fund of €1.7 million, the stimulus scheme provided vital assistance to those working in the music industry who were severely impacted by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The funding provided by my Department for MISP has supported Irish artists to create, record and release new music during an extremely difficult period for the arts," Minister Martin has said. "Through support under this scheme employment was provided for 817 music industry professionals at a time when the whole industry was under threat. I congratulate all those who created and shared their work, and I am pleased that this and other support schemes sustained their careers when live performance was not possible".

Music Industry benefits from Ireland’s 1st Covid support scheme for sector 🎵

The @culture_ireland Music Industry Stimulus Package provided

🟢Support to 318 artists
🟢Employed 817 music industry professionals
🟢created 77 song-writing camps

More info: https://t.co/W6UaweesNW pic.twitter.com/6j56Fl7xcZ

— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) April 20, 2022

The funds have supported 318 artists hailing from 23 different counties as well as 817 music industry professionals across 60 recording studios.

Of the 185 artists given recording grants, 56 of them recorded albums with genres ranging from hip-hop, electronic, jazz, indie-rock, and pop.

Three of the artists who received support for albums - Saint Sister, Kojaque and Elaine Mai - were nominated for a Choice Music Prize this year.

Denise Chaila, whose album Go Bravely won a Music Moves Europe Award earlier this year, will be supporting Ed Sheeran at Croke Park this Saturday, April 23rd.