Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 January 2014
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he continues to maintain contact with the film making sector, with particular reference to encouraging the use of this country as a film location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4499/14]
View answer100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department had discussions with major international film makers in the context of the possible use of this jurisdiction as an internationally recognised film location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4500/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
I refer also to my previous responses to the Deputy in these matters. As the Deputy is aware, primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions, is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). The IFB is the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry and I have no responsibility in relation to its day-to-day operational matters, including the allocation of resources to different support programmes and schemes. The IFB has been allocated €14.037m in 2014 to carry out its functions.
In regard to the number of films made with support by the IFB, I would direct the Deputy's attention to the annual reports of the IFB, which are lodged periodically in the Oireachtas Library, and also to the publications by the IFB itself on its website www.irishfilmboard.ie.
It is difficult to predict with certainty the number of films that will be made in the future. However, consultations between my Department, the IFB and the Department of Finance has resulted in a number of changes to Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 (Film Tax Relief Scheme) to ensure that Ireland retains or regains competitiveness in attracting foreign film projects to Ireland.
The scheme was extended to the end of 2020 in the 2013 Finance Act and further changes were announced by the Minister for Finance in his budget speech. The budget announcement brings forward the new regime for film tax reliefs to 2015, and also extends the definition of 'eligible individual' in the scheme for film relief to include non-EU talent. This will increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a destination for film investment and allow the audiovisual production sector to maintain existing jobs and hopefully create new ones.
