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Film Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Questions (78, 79)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

78. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to continue to support independent producers of content for the audio-visual sector in 2021. [25900/20]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her views on the establishment of an insurance bond scheme for the audio-visual sector. [25901/20]

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Written answers

The Government continues to support the audiovisual sector, including independent producers of content, through a range of measures including section 481 tax relief, international film co-production treaties, an annual international programme of Irish film festivals, and through engaging high-profile talent to project a positive image of Ireland and reflect Ireland as a creative place. Strategic Government investment is provided to Screen Ireland whose statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film industry in Ireland. It 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 introduced a number of stimulus measures to support the sector in response to the effects of COVID19. These new measures included practical supports and were designed to aid production companies and creative talent in developing a strong slate of quality projects, so that the industry can emerge from the current situation in a position to scale up production activity. Over the past number of years, the Department has continued to increase the level of support provided to Screen Ireland, allocating €17.2million in capital funding to Screen Ireland for 2020. In July 2020, as part of the July Jobs Stimulus, I announced additional supports for the sector to be administered through Screen Ireland, including €5 million to form a pilot €10 million Performance and Production Support Package fund; a further €2 million for the next round of the Sound and Vision fund which is administered through the BAI and a new €3 million TV Drama Fund administered by Screen Ireland which will support the production of new Irish TV drama content in line with the Government’s Audiovisual Action Plan.

The Audiovisual Action Plan under Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland programme is designed to deliver on ambitions to make Ireland a leader in the audiovisual sector. A number of important recommendations in the Plan have already been delivered upon. While I cannot anticipate the outcome of the Budgetary process, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue work with stakeholders to implement the Plan and offer continued support to the Irish production sector.

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