Written Answers Nos. 98-105
98. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will investigate the possibility of preserving the Legion Hall in Killester in view of the anniversary of the commencement of the Great War this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4468/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 388 and 400 of 21 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.
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which his Department directly and-or indirectly has assisted local community annual festival groups in 2013; the degree to which this might be possible in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4501/14]
View answer102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for financial grant aid received by his Department or bodies under its aegis from local community groups such as musical and dramatic societies, cultural groups and annual events in 2013; the number that have been successful; the extent to which it is expected to favourably respond to such applications in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4502/14]
View answer103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of successful applications for grant aid received by his Department or bodies under its aegis from local community groups, musical or dramatic societies or annual event organisers in County Kildare in 2013; the extent to which it was found possible to offer assistance; the possibility of further assistance in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 to 103, inclusive, together.
The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts sector.
The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and my Department has no role to play in its executive or funding decisions. Full information on the Council's funding decisions is made available on their funding decisions database on their website www.artscouncil.ie.
Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. While I know that the Deputy appreciates the funding difficulties facing all Departments at this time, I can assure him that I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors. The specific allocations to be made over the current year will, of course, be dependent on my Department's budgetary position as the year progresses. Details of all grant payments made in 2013 will be published on my Department's website in due course.
