Vol. 573 No. 3
412 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will publish the findings of a report (details supplied) commissioned earlier in 2003 into the economic significance of section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24803/03]
I have recently received from PricewaterhouseCoopers the report referred to by the Deputy and will draw on its evaluation of the economic significance of the tax relief in my discussions with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, on future support for the film industry in Ireland. As these discussions must of their nature remain confidential in the context of the forthcoming budget, I do not propose to make any public statement for the present on the PWC analysis and conclusions. The question of publication therefore does not arise at this time.
413 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures he intends to take to ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for Irish and foreign film companies to shoot films for at least the next decade. [24804/03]
414 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the comments of a person to a newspaper (details supplied) on 14 October 2003 that Ireland's film industry would become almost impotent if section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 was removed in the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24805/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 414 together.
I am well aware of the concerns that exist in the film sector regarding the proposed expiry, from end-2004, of the section 481 tax relief scheme for investment in film production. With the Irish Film Board, my Department has commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct an analysis of the implications of the scheme, and on the basis of that analysis I will discuss the issues arising, and where we go from here, with the Minister for Finance.
415 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the number of films which will be shot on location here for 2004, 2005, 2006, and their budgets. [24806/03]
At this point in time, it is not possible to say how many films will be shot on location in Ireland for the years 2004 to 2006, inclusive. However, I can say that 22 projects have been certified to date in 2003 by my Department for the purposes of the section 481 scheme.
