Established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and managed by Music Network. 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.
Beneficiaries range from early years to mature players including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities. 227 performing groups have been able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, and 258 professional established and emerging musicians advanced their performance careers with new instruments enabled by the scheme.