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Film Industry Promotion

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 December 2019

Thursday, 12 December 2019

Questions (378, 382, 384)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to encourage film making here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52449/19]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

382. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she continues to take to promote Ireland as an attractive film location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52453/19]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

384. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which overseas filmmakers continue to interact with her Department with a view to use film locations here; the interactions which have already taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52455/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 378, 382 and 384 together.

Screen Ireland, which is under the aegis of my Department, is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry.  Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film industry in Ireland.  Screen Ireland supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.  Screen Ireland has a vision for a vibrant, creative and sustainable Irish film, television and animation industry, with diverse voices, talent and opportunities which speaks to and connects Irish film culture with audiences at home and abroad. The allocation of funding to Screen Ireland in 2020 will be  over €21m.

Screen Ireland works in conjunction with the enterprise agencies to support the development of the film sector to make a substantial contribution to inward investment.  It promotes Ireland as a location for international production by providing advice and support for international companies seeking to locate production activity here, organising inward and outward trade missions on an annual basis and working in partnership with EU counterparts on co-productions. Earlier this year, in the course of the Taoiseach’s trade mission to LA, Screen Ireland announced its intention to establish a presence in Los Angeles

The Government’s ‘Global Ireland 2025’ initiative, which was launched last year, lists film as a high-impact way of promoting Ireland on the global stage.  Under the initiative ‘Bringing our Culture and Heritage to the Wider World’ also committed to boosting Screen Ireland’s presence in Los Angeles and Screen Ireland will establish a new base in Los Angeles in 2020.  Strengthening the base in Los Angeles will allow for the building and managing of relationships with major US studios and content producers, communication of the opportunities available in Ireland, and identifying upcoming, portable productions that could locate in Ireland.  It also delivers on an aim in the Audiovisual Action Plan for Screen Ireland to provide a stronger presence in key markets such as Los Angeles.

The Audiovisual Action Plan is an industry-wide, long-term plan, under the Creative Ireland Programme and part of Government policy to support the audiovisual industry. In April 2018, I joined with the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, in launching my Department’s capital investment plan: 'Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027’. This plan incorporated an amount of €200m to be invested in media production and the audiovisual industry over the next 10 years and represented a first step in the Government’s ambitions to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of film, TV drama and animation. The investment will be delivered through Screen Ireland.

Other Government supports to the sector include international film co-production treaties, an annual international programme of Irish film festivals, through engaging high-profile talent to project a positive image of Ireland and reflect Ireland as a creative place and the Section 481 tax relief,. Earlier this year, I was pleased to welcome EU Commission approval in respect of two aspects of Ireland's tax credit: the extension of the Section 481 credit until 2024 provides certainty for film production companies on the future availability of the credit, ensuring the continued growth of our film industry. It is a key recommendation in the Audiovisual Action Plan. A further key measure under the Plan saw the introduction of the Regional Film Development Uplift which offers an additional tapered tax credit over a period of 4 years. This is an important step in support of this Government’s ambition to make Ireland a global hub for the production of Film, TV Drama and Animation in supporting creative talent in Ireland and helping to develop a vibrant creative audio-visual sector throughout the country.

I will continue to work to support the development and expansion of the film and television production sector. In that regard my Department will continue both to work with Screen Ireland to ensure that Ireland is maximised as a location for both indigenous and international film production and to work with colleagues across Government and the industry on the implementation of the Audiovisual Action Plan.

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