A new report says the Irish music industry is worth almost half a billion euro to the economy.

The study - carried out by Deloitte for the Irish Music Rights Organisation - says over 11-thousand-500 jobs are supported by both live and recorded music.

Despite that it's warned that challenges remain.

In 2012, 27 per cent of people visited illegal or unlicenced music sites - with sales falling by 40 million euro that year. 

IMRO is calling for more help for emerging artists including an IP Tsar to make sure artists earn from their works. 

It's called for a the controversial artists' exemption to be extended out over three to five years - it says that would help more emerging artists. 

Richard Chambers reports: