Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Film Industry.

Ivor Callely

Question:

314 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will list the recommendations of the film industry review group that are agreed but yet to be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15371/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

As the Deputy is aware, in recognition of the growing importance of the creative audio-visual production sector for our cultural expression and economic prosperity, I established the Film Industry Strategic Review Group in 1998 under the chairmanship of Mr. Ossie Kilkenny to review progress in the sector and make recommendations for its further development as we face into the early years of this new millennium.

The review group submitted its report in August 1999, the conclusions of which I agreed in principle, with the exception of the imposition of a levy on cinema ticket sales. The key recommendations to which the Government agreed and for which I have statutory responsi bility related to the need for a strengthened, broadened and restructured Irish Film Board to address the cultural and new strategic goals of the industry and to underpin the successful implementation of the majority of the report's recommendations; and the provision of enhanced funding for the board.

Arising from these strong conclusions I reviewed the resources of personnel, current funding and organisation required by the Irish Film Board for its expanded role and, having made a case to the Minister for Finance, was able to secure an increase in staff numbers to almost double the current staffing level of the board, as well as agreeing on its revised staffing structure with the necessary financial support to realise these improvements; and increased allocations in the board's capital funds for development and production loans to the extent that its 2001 provision will represent a 100% increase on its 1997 allocation.

In addition, following consideration of the strong case put forward by me on the basis of the review group's report, the Minister for Finance in budget 2000 agreed to an unprecedented extension of the current section 481 tax relief scheme until April 2005 and increased the limits on the amounts production companies can raise under the scheme.

The balance of the recommendations of the report agreed by Government fall directly within the remit of the Irish Film Board and other agencies.