Tax Credits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Questions (248)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

248. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to organise the stakeholder forum to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the Section 481 credit for all concerned stakeholders and facilitate discussion of relevant issues, as recommended in the Budgetary Oversight Committee Report on Section 481 Film Tax Credit; when she expects this forum will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43784/23]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

The Government has always adopted a consultative approach to the development of the audiovisual sector and will continue to do so. Consideration is being given to Recommendation 14 (stakeholder forum) of the Report of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight on Section 481 as part of overall considerations of the Committee’s Report and there will be further engagement between the relevant Departments in the coming weeks on a suitable format for a Forum. On the critical issue of copyright, an independent facilitator has been retained by Screen Ireland to meet with key industry stakeholders to understand and discuss issues raised through the implementation of the Copyright Directive. There have been individual stakeholder meetings as well as group discussions with the relevant stakeholders, led by the independent facilitator, with a view to progressing key areas.  All stakeholders agreed that the process has been valuable to date with additional meetings requested by all parties. The constructive work being done through Screen Ireland will be an important factor for consideration of the format a Section 481 Stakeholder Forum might take but work is advancing on this as a priority.