Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023
97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the details of any engagement between his Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht and Sport and Media with regard to the establishment of a stakeholder forum, in line with recommendation 14 of the May 2023 Report on Section 481 - Film Tax Credit by the Committee on Budgetary Oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42942/23]
View answerI understand that the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) are examining the options available regarding the recommendation in the Committee on Budgetary Oversight’s Report on Section 481 (Film Tax Relief) for the convening of a stakeholder forum.
I am advised that a previous attempt to constitute a forum was undertaken by Screen Ireland in 2019, but it did not prove possible to progress as, at that time, it appeared that a forum discussion would primarily comprise of the airing of disputes and grievances which are more properly dealt with by the State through other mechanisms such as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
Further engagement between my Department and DTCAGSM is ongoing in respect of the BOC's recommendations. I would also note that my officials have directly engaged with all relevant representative bodies in the sector, including those representing crew, cast and producers, with a view to understanding the issues affecting the audio-visual sector.
