Vol. 448 No. 6
88 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will give details of the major feature film projects which are scheduled for production in Ireland in the years 1995 and 1996; if there are other productions in the pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2474/95]
Decisions as to the optimum time to commence a particular film production rests with the independent producers themselves and are subject to change depending on many variable factors. Moreover, section 35 of the Finance Act, 1987, as amended, provides a period of up to two years for the making of a qualifying film even after a certificate has been obtained from me in respect of such a film project. It is, therefore, very difficult to give definitive figures on the number of productions which will begin in Ireland during 1995, and, with regard to 1996, any attempt to anticipate the number of projects would be purely speculative at this stage.
However, I can inform the Deputy that, according to Bord Scannán na hÉireann/The Irish Film Board, nine films which have been grant-aided by them during 1994 will commence production in 1995. Moreover, during 1994, 15 projects were certified by me as qualifing under the provisions of section 35 of the Finance Act 1987, as amended, and there are currently 29 further applications for certification on hand. I believe that this level of activity gives an indication of the vigour and dynamism that has been nurtured in this particular cultural industry — a momentum I intend to maintain through the coming years. I am confident that a high level of film production is assured in Ireland for 1995 and 1996.
