Distribute this money to the listeners (8)

I believe the answer is:

dispense

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'distribute' is the definition.
(I know that distribute can be written as dispense)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dispense that I've seen before include "Dish out, medicine say" , "Excuse" , "Supply (prescription)" , "Supply (as chemist)" , "Deal out - needs sip (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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