Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Feb 1995

Vol. 448 No. 4

Written Answers. - Proposed Establishment of Film School.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

63 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the plans, if any, he has with regard to the establishment of a film school; if it will be located close to existing film facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2180/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The Deputy may be aware that last year I established a committee of senior officials from all the State agencies involved promoting the film and audiovisual industry in Ireland, together with a representative of my own Department. This committee, entitled STATCOM, has as its objective the removal of the remaining encumbrances to the full development of the Irish film industry over time, and it has identified training as being a priority area for attention in this context.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, under the auspices of STATCOM, FÁS have been undertaking research on the Training Needs of the Independent Film and Television Production Sector. It is expected that this research will be completed soon and that it will address the question of whether there is a necessity for a Film School in Ireland and, if so, where it might be located.

I await the outcome of this important FÁS research and, in particular, its conclusions regarding a Film School.