Vol. 492 No. 2
36 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the proposals, if any, he has to introduce amendments to section 35 of the Finance Act, 1987, to make it more attractive for film makers to use locations outside the Dublin and Wicklow areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13695/98]
The relief for investment in films, commonly referred to as section 35 relief as it was introduced under section 35 of the 1987 Finance Act, is due to terminate on 22 January 1999 for corporate investors and on 5 April 1999 for individual investors.
I have no proposals to amend the relief in the way described by the Deputy. However, my Department has been informed by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands that since 1994, films have been shot in 17 counties, that is Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow. Also, it is hoped that the establishment of the Screen Commission of Ireland, will, inter alia, bring the many unique locations available throughout Ireland to the attention of the international film industry.
I should mention that the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has established a think tank for the Irish film industry. The think tank will comprise 13 people broadly representative of the industry with a representative from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and from the Department of Finance and it will be examining all aspects of the Irish film industry.
