Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:68. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she has taken to resolve the emerging difficulties within the film industry. [20136/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 9 May 2018
Ceisteanna (68)
Freagraí scríofa
The Irish film, television and animation industry is experiencing a period of sustained success and critical acclaim. Over the last number of years, Irish talent has been a consistent presence at the Academy Awards, with Nora Twomey’s debut animated feature, The Breadwinner, leading the Irish charge at this year's ceremony alongside other nominations for Irish talent including Saoirse Ronan, Consolata Boyle, Martin McDonagh and Daniel Day-Lewis. The industry’s current flourishing is the result of the Irish Film Board’s years of investment in Irish creative filmmaking talent, made possible through consistent Government backing as well as Section 481, which plays a crucial role in attracting inward production to Ireland.
In partnership with the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Business, Enterprise and Innovation, my Department commissioned an economic analysis of our screen based creative industries. The Report by consultants Olsberg SPI with Nordicity found that the Irish audiovisual industry, comprising Film, TV and animation; commercial advertising; and video games, supported 14,370 full-time equivalents jobs in 2016; with Gross Value Added amounting to €857 million and an estimated €191 million in export earnings for Ireland. The industry also provided valuable cultural exports reaching substantial global audiences and bringing benefits to other industries such as the tourism sector.
This Report will provide an input for the development of an industry-wide long term plan for Ireland as a global hub for the production of Film, TV Drama and Animation under Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland Programme. The Plan will set out an agenda to further develop the Irish Audiovisual Industry and in that context my Department will work with the Film Board and all sectors of the industry to address any barriers to continued success. I intend to publish this economic report and associated plan shortly.