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Film Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Questions (149, 150)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

149. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the invigilation of training in the film industry; the funding made available to organisations to provide training in each of the years 2013 to 2016, and to date in 2017; the training programmes that are accredited by the QQI; if a register of training providers and qualified workers exists; the number of persons availing of this training in each of the years 2013 to 2016, and to date in 2017; if a register of trainees exists; if not, if one will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31672/17]

View answer

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

150. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding provided to Screen Training Ireland in each of the years 2005 to 2013, inclusive; the projects involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31674/17]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

The Irish Film Board (IFB) is the national development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. Screen Training Ireland is part of the Irish Film Board and provides a training and development resource specifically for our film and television industry. Screen Training Ireland is funded from a number of sources including core funding from IFB, fee income, EU and other partnership income. Details of Exchequer funding to the IFB are outlined as follows:

Funding to the Irish Film Board 2013- 2017

Year

Current

Capital

Total

2013

€2.960m

€11.898m

€ 14.858m

2014

€2.760m

€11.202m

€ 13.962m

2015

€2.760m

€11.752m

€ 14.512m

2016

€3.269m

€12.302m

€ 15.571m

2017

€3.786m

€12.702m

€16.488m

Further details including a breakdown of these figures are available in the IFB annual reports as well as annual reviews and workplans of training at the following links:

http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/irish_film_industry/reports/?category_id=3

https://www.screentrainingireland.ie/category/reports/

The IFB is an independent agency under the aegis of my Department and neither I as Minister nor my officials have any role in its funding decisions.

Screen Training Ireland has an online registration and application process where people may register and receive information on courses and events at this link: https://www.screentrainingireland.ie/faqs/.

Screen Training Ireland works with national and internationally recognised industry professionals to identify, design and deliver training in Ireland. Training programmes are offered to enhance expertise in Film, Television, Animation and interactive screen content. Courses are developed in consultation with industry professionals across all disciplines and tutors are industry practitioners working in the industry. My Department is assured that Screen Training Ireland continually evaluates industry growth to identify future skills needs and professional development for a growing industry.

Like many training providers, Screen Training Ireland partners with providers that have accreditation arrangements with awarding bodies recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). For example, Screen Training Ireland is developing two career traineeships for the film industry in collaboration with SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards. These traineeships will be certified by the appropriate awarding body and will offer structured work-based training to new entrants. Although the Irish Film Board does keep records of those attending courses, there is currently no published register of trainees.

The Film Board and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland have jointly commissioned a report on the skills needs of the audiovisual industry in Ireland. This report is being finalised and will be published shortly. My Department will consider recommendations contained in the report and working with stakeholders, will address any identified skills needs. This will form part of a wider new policy initiative to support the audio visual industry in Ireland, which is currently being developed.

Further details of Screen Training Ireland's range of courses as well as international training can be accessed on its website at the following link: https://www.screentrainingireland.ie/training-courses/upcoming-courses/.

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