I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 32 and 90 together.
The promotion and support for film activity in the State and for filming in Ireland is the responsibility of the Irish Film Board, an agency which, though funded by my Department, is independent of the Department in its day-to-day decision making. Funding from my Department for the Board amounts this year to €17.126M, an increase of 7% on the 2005 figure.
My Department's direct role regarding film support relates only to the administration of elements of the Section 481 scheme for investment in film production. Details of the number of films certified under the scheme over the last 5 years are in the table.
The Section 481 scheme has recently been enhanced as follows:
•the maximum amount that can be raised has increased from €15M to €35M;
•the maximum percentage of a project budget that can be raised has increased from between 55% and 66% to 80%.
These changes represent the most significant ever enhancement of the scheme, and will greatly increase Ireland's attractiveness as a film making location. The European Commission has in recent days approved these changes to the Section 481 scheme.
It is not possible to say at this point in time the number of films that will be made in Ireland over the next four years.
CERTIFICATION OF PROJECTS UNDER SECTION 481 OF THE TAXES CONSOLIDATION ACT, 1997
Summary of Key Statistics 1994-2006 (to date)
|
|
Total of Projects certified
|
Total Certified Spend
|
of which Irish Spend
|
Section 481 Amount
|
|
|
€m
|
€m
|
€m
|
1994-2001
|
240
|
1,294.1
|
697.5
|
581.8
|
2002
|
22
|
142.9
|
87.9
|
62.2
|
2003
|
25
|
282.7
|
135.6
|
84.8
|
2004
|
22
|
119.6
|
66.5
|
58.1
|
2005
|
28
|
125.5
|
63.9
|
54.8
|
2006
|
9
|
55.1
|
29.4
|
28.3
|
Total
|
346
|
2,019.9
|
1,080.8
|
870
|