Vol. 557 No. 5
177 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern among the film industry following the huge cutback in capital expenditure in the Book of Estimates; his proposals to restore confidence in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22995/02]
While the capital allocation for the Irish Film Board in 2003 has been reduced, it must be seen against a background in which the board's funding has more than doubled over the five year period from 1997 to 2002, during which period there has also been a restructuring of the board and a significant increase in the board's authorised staffing complement. The Irish Film Board in response to the publication of the Abridged Estimates 2003 stated it is committed to the delivery of its planned programmes and acknowledged the figures allocated for 2003 provide workable parameters for doing so.
