Written Answers Nos. 126-145
126. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the opportunities available to public sector employees to transfer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47734/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of mechanisms in place that support lateral movements of staff members across the Civil Service. These include:
- Civil Service Mobility Scheme
- Secondments
- Redeployment.
Civil Service Mobility Scheme
The Mobility scheme is the primary mechanism for the permanent lateral movement of staff members across Civil Service organisations through an open and transparent system.
Mobility opportunities are now available for all general service staff members (Clerical Officer up to Assistant Secretary) to move to a different Civil Service organisation and/or geographical location, providing an opportunity to broaden their skills and career development while also supporting the business needs of Civil Service organisations.
Secondments
The Secondment policy is used to complement the Mobility scheme to fill time-bound positions concurrent with a strategic project/placement.
The policy facilitates the temporary release and movement of staff members for a specified period of time in a way which does not affect their employment status, providing opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development while retaining the right to return to their substantive or equivalent position in the sending organisation at the end of the secondment. It also provides an opportunity for the receiving organisation to fill a temporary position with both the receiving and sending organisation benefiting from shared learning, good practice, new ideas and experience.
Redeployment
The Public Service Agreements (PSAs) (the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements) provide for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply for staff members to be moved as a result of the rationalisation, reconfiguration or restructuring of organisations or where activities have assumed lesser priority arising from changing business needs in the Civil Service and in other parts of the Public Service.
Redeployment generally takes precedence over all other methods of filling a vacancy.
Full details of the terms of the above lateral movement mechanisms can be found at the following link: Mobility - hr.per.gov.ie
127. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department, the Office of the Chief Information Officer or the Office of Government Procurement provide any advice to Departments or bodies under their aegis with regard to acquiring or making use of advanced programming interfaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47772/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), which is a Division of my Department, works in collaboration with Government Departments and agencies across the Civil and Public Service. This is to ensure the delivery of the benefits of digital transformation of public services to both individuals and businesses. Providing advisory support is a key dimension of the work of OGCIO which includes approval of digital initiatives being undertaken by public service organisations.
Government as a Platform is one of the priority action areas in Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service was published in March 2022. This sets clear direction for public service bodies in relation to the approach to be taken to deliver human-driven, consistent, seamless, integrated, proactive and cross-sectoral public services. It also advises that consideration will be given to approaches such as standards for adopting and coordinating application programming interfaces in and across government, to support an interoperable all-of-government digital environment.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is also a Division of my Department, does not provide any advice on the subject of advanced programming interfaces. While the OGP interrogate specifications with a view to making sure they are market ready, the technical specification of ICT systems being tendered for through OGP services rests with the Public Service clients requiring those systems.
128. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make a partnership agreement document and the accompanying European Commission assessment, which is referenced in a newspaper report (details supplied), available to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47785/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Partnership Agreement sets out Ireland’s investment strategy for its Cohesion Policy Funds. Ireland will receive €1.4 billion in Cohesion Policy funding for the 2021 to 2027 period. When this funding is co-financed at a national level, it will mean Cohesion Policy programmes add a total value of almost €3.5 billion to the economy. These funds will strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion and further reduce disparities between different regions, including in the Northern and Western region.
I will be bring the Partnership Agreement to Government in the coming weeks and I intend to publish the document on my department's website after that point.
129. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available to sporting bodies to deliver mental health and well-being training; the process by which clubs can avail of this funding, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available to sports clubs to deliver mental health training; the process required to avail of this funding and the amount of funding that is available, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47719/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 131 together.
Sport Ireland provides various training programmes in relation to mental health and wellbeing to sporting bodies. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to these training activities. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
130. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of the 60 governing bodies of sport that are in receipt of annual funding; the number not in receipt of funding; the amount of funding provided to each governing body, by organisation, for each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47718/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
132. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of volunteers and coaches in the 60 governing bodies of sports who have completed coaching certificates; the type and level of certificate, by sporting body, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47720/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for the development of coaches and tutors at all levels in sport.
As the specific issue raised is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
133. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if suitable premises will be located and financial assistance provided to a club (details supplied); the supports that are available to the club; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47726/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Grants are available to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport, and local authorities. Applications must be made by way of the Online Sports Capital Register (OSCAR).
While the Programme funds a broad range of projects it should be noted that the Programme does not fund the purchase of land or buildings. Full details of the Programme and the type of projects funded can be found at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
A separate tax relief scheme for donations to sports clubs may be used by any sports club or organisations to assist in funding the acquisition of land or a building, developing facilities or purchasing fixed, non-personal equipment for sports activities, or repaying a loan for any of these purposes to fund the purchase of land. More information in this regard can be found at www.revenue.ie.
My Department is undertaking a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. The precise timing of this next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete but it is expected that new applications will be accepted in the new year.
134. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a date and location has been decided for the 2022 An Gorta Mór overseas remembrance day. [47731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are plans to include the public in the commemoration of An Gorta Mór 2023, given the public's exclusion from the celebration in 2022. [47732/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra136. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a date has been decided for the An Gorta Mór 2023 commemoration; and if additional notice will be given than the 24 days that was given in 2022, which made it difficult for the general public, particularly those living abroad, to participate in the ceremony. [47733/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 to 136, inclusive, together.
I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Questions No 362 to 364 of 12th July, 2022, in which I set out the position in relation to the arrangements for the 2022 National Famine Commemoration, held at the National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon on Sunday, 15th May 2022.
My Department hosts the National Famine Commemoration Day each year. The Government, on 1st May 2018, approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, with the arrangements for the holding of the State commemoration on this day or the preceding Saturday to be decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and host community.
The location of the annual national commemoration is usually announced in early spring each year. However, the planning and preparation with the relevant stakeholders begins some time before the official announcement.
Owing to the uncertainties surrounding public health matters, due to Covid 19, over the last number of years it was more difficult to plan for the event in the typical manner. Consequently, the 2020 & 2021 commemorations were held in Dublin with limited attendance. The 2022 event in Strokestown was hosted with a slightly larger attendance of invited guests.
In addition, arrangements for an international Famine Commemoration was also significantly affected by Covid-19 in recent years. This resulted in the cancellation of the international Famine Commemoration events in 2020 and 2021. Due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding Covid-19 and other international developments, it was not considered practicable to recommence the holding of the international Famine Commemoration in 2022.
My Department will be giving consideration to the arrangements for the Famine Commemoration, both at home and abroad over the coming months. The National Famine Commemoration Committee has responsibility for considering arrangements for the National Famine Commemoration Day and will reflect on the experience of the last two years in putting forward proposals for 2023.
137. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has not been accepted into the artists' basic income project; if there is a standby list for consideration to replace any successful applicant who may not have accepted the offer of entry into the scheme; if this person will be automatically considered for any future artists' basic income schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 9,000 applications were made under the scheme with over 8,200 assessed as eligible according to the published guidelines for the scheme. Eligible applications were then included in a randomised anonymous selection process to choose the participants. This process was overseen by EY acting as an independent verifier. Over 8,200 eligible applicants were included in the anonymised randomised selection to select the 2,000 BIA recipients and the control group of 1,000 participants.
The application referred to by the Deputy was assessed and found to be eligible and was included in the anonymised random selection for recipients. Unfortunately this applicant was not selected to participate in the scheme.
It is important to note that eligibility was not a guarantee of a place on the BIA. I understand that those who applied and were not successful are disappointed, however, as a pilot scheme the BIA is operating with a limited fund providing for 2,000 participants.
If someone decides not to accept the offer of the BIA grant that place will be reallocated using a further random selection process. In this way, anyone eligible who has not already been selected or is in the control group would be included in another selection process to fill places prior to first payment.
138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify her plans in relation to the current basic income for arts scheme; if applicants who were unsuccessful for the current scheme can reapply in the coming year; if any possible anomalies in the lottery system will be removed; if any assessment of artists' current income and circumstances such as risk of poverty will be taken into account concerning future plans for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47782/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 9,000 applications were made under the scheme with over 8,200 assessed as eligible according to the published guidelines for the scheme. Eligible applications were then included in a randomised anonymous selection process to choose the participants. This process was overseen by EY acting as an independent verifier. Over 8,200 eligible applicants were included in the anonymised randomised selection to select the 2,000 BIA recipients and the control group of 1,000 participants.
It is important to note that eligibility was not a guarantee of a place on the BIA. I understand that those who applied and were not successful are disappointed, however, as a pilot scheme the BIA is operating with a limited fund providing for 2,000 participants.
If someone decides not to accept the offer of the BIA grant the Department will reallocate that place using the same random selection process to fill the 2,000 places before payment begins. This means that anyone eligible who has not already been selected or is in the control group will be included in another selection process to fill places prior to first payment.
This is a research project and the main element of the research programme is a longitudinal study with the same survey being delivered every 6 months for 3 years. We will be collecting data across a wide variety of research domains to measure the impact of the payment including income and relative/consistent poverty indicators. The data collected as part of the research will inform future Government policy in relation to how best to support artists.
139. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will engage with Dublin City Council to ascertain the supports that may be needed to open the Dublin Fruit Market on a full-time basis, particularly given its potential as a major tourism attraction. [47835/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Dublin Fruit Market is owned by Dublin City Council. Neither I, my Department or any of its agencies has any involvement in or accountability for the market.
My role and that of my Department officials in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy. I understand there are currently no Fáilte Ireland funding schemes that the Dublin Fruit Market would be eligible to apply for but that Fáilte Ireland could engage with Dublin City Council in any review by the Council of the tourism potential of the market.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department continue to engage with the tourism sector in order to ensure full recovery following Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47838/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she has received submissions from all elements of the tourism sector in regard to facilitating full recovery post-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which her Department continues to monitor the tourism sector in order to identify trends, with particular reference to aspects of the industry that appear to still suffer from the effects of Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47840/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 142, inclusive, together.
A key aim of my Department's Tourism Services Programme is to support the tourism industry to recover and grow in a sustainable way. I have secured a total of €214.762 million in Budget 2023 to support the tourism sector.
Key highlights that will specifically assist the sector to rebuild to full recovery include an additional funding of €15 million for overseas marketing of Ireland as a tourism destination and the development of the The Invitation project.
Domestically, a total of €15 million will fund a range of measures to support the sector including domestic marketing, transforming the digital capabilities of more than 800 visitor attractions and activities, boosting the industry’s recruitment and retention efforts, sustainable tourism initiatives, long-term investment in the US College Football Classic series, and establishment of a register of short-term letting properties as part of the Government’s “Housing for All” reforms.
The Hospitality and Tourism Forum, which is co-chaired by the Tánaiste and myself is the appropriate arena in which to discuss issues with the wider industry, and other key questions arising as the sector rebuilds. The most recent meeting was held on 12 September 2022 and the forum offers a very important opportunity to discuss and address the many issues facing the tourism sector. The feedback from the industry stakeholders is a good barometer of the trends in the industry.
My officials have engaged with many stakeholders, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation and the Irish Hotels Federation, in order to further understand the underlying issues impacting the recovery of the tourism sector and to emphasise the importance of maintaining a strong value proposition at the core of tourism.
The Recovery Oversight Group, responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Tourism Recovery Plan, submitted its fourth report to me in July 2022. The report notes that much headway has been made in implementing the recovery plan presented in September 2020. I have used this report from the Recovery Oversight Group as an important policy consideration as I continue to work, alongside my Government colleagues, towards the recovery of the tourism sector.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she continues to engage with cultural groups of local and national importance throughout the country, and County Kildare, with a view to maximisation of culture as a means of promoting business and boosting the economy at local and national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47841/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her office continue to encourage cultural projects at local and national level with a view to ensuring maximisation of economic benefit through the medium of culture and tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47842/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
My Department's priorities are set out in its published Statement of Strategy 2021—2023. The Strategy sets out the actions that my Department will take over the coming period, both nationally and regionally, to enrich the quality of life in Ireland through supporting the development of tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and Irish language. In the context of culture, the goal is to “support and develop engagement with, and in arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities thereby enriching lives through cultural activity; and to promote Ireland’s arts, culture and creativity globally while also coordinating the Decade of Centenaries 2012–2023 commemorations programme.” The Statement of Strategy is available at this link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/9205f-statement-of-strategy-20212023/
Some €371.4 million is allocated to the arts and culture sector this year including record levels of funding for the Arts Council and Screen Ireland in recent Budgets. In Budget 2023, the Arts Council maintained the record €130 million funding allocated in 2021 and 2022, in recognition of the transformational impact of this funding in supporting artists and arts organisations as we look to further develop the sector.
An additional €10m in 2023 to fund the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme has been confirmed. This is a three year, €105 million scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers which will support each beneficiary in developing and sustaining a professional arts practice. This measure was the #1 ask from the Arts and Culture Recovery Task Force and will bring new life and support to the arts and culture sector on a national, regional and local basis. In County Kildare, 84 people were selected in the random sample to receive the basic income payment for 3 years.
I am cognisant of the challenges faced by the arts, culture and live entertainment industry as the sector recovers post-pandemic. I provided a €50 million suite of supports for the live performance sector in 2022, to provide performance and employment opportunities for artists and crews, including €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme). This scheme has provided thousands of hours of employment for local musicians, artists and crews.
Funding for the arts and culture sector also includes €4 million to deliver a suite of initiatives proposed by the night-time economy task force. An additional €2 million was announced in Budget 2023 for capital supports for night-time economy stakeholders.
My department provided €5 million this year in additional funding for the national cultural institutions to ensure they continue to provide high-quality programming, to promote learning and engagement opportunities and to safeguard National Collections. An additional €2.5 million has been allocated in Budget 2023 to help with this.
My role as Minister with responsibility for leading the co-ordination of the Decade of Centenaries Programme (2012-2023) is to help ensure that the challenging events of this important and formative period in our history and related themes, are meaningfully, proportionately and sensitively remembered. I have allocated €5 million to support the 2022 commemorative programme which will deliver rich and diverse national and local programmes marking the significant centenaries arising in 2022. Many of these investment programmes will be delivered through the local authorities. An allocation of €3 million has also been announced in Budget 2023 to develop, oversee and manage a new archive and exhibition space as part of the overall National Centre for Research and Remembrance. This is being developed in partnership with a number of agencies over the coming years including the National Archives and the National Museum of Ireland.
Earlier this year, I announced the Government’s decision to extend the Creative Ireland Programme until 2027. Creative Ireland was launched in 2017 as an all-of-Government culture and wellbeing programme committed to the vision that every person should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential. Creative Ireland collaborates across Government and with arts, community and voluntary organisations to deploy creativity as a strategy for wellbeing, social cohesion and economic success. Alongside its very successful Creative Youth initiative, the programme’s Creative Communities partnership with the 31 local authorities, and their delivery of thousands of creative projects, has been key to enabling community-led nationwide engagement. Earlier this month Cruinniú na nÓg 2022, took place on Saturday 11 June 2022 with events in every county. This initiative is being delivered through the network of Creative Ireland Coordinators and local authority Culture and Creativity Teams in each of the 31 local authorities and is supported by RTÉ.
In response to Covid-19, capital funding towards the pilot Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 by my Department funds local authorities to adapt, equip or otherwise improve public spaces for cultural and events activities, taking account of public health guidelines and of the needs of the local arts community. Outdoor public spaces can provide year-round use can improve well-being and contribute positively to the public realm.
Support is provided to arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council is critical to ensuring that a stable and vibrant network can be maintained both for arts organisations and arts workers.
My Department's Tourism Services programme aims to support the tourism industry to recover and grow in a sustainable way. Budget 2023 has secured continued additional funding of €15 million for overseas marketing of Ireland as a leading holiday destination and the development of the Invitation project.
Domestically, continued additional funding of €15 million will deliver a range of measures to support the sector including domestic marketing, transforming the digital capabilities of tourism businesses, boosting the industry's recruitment and retention efforts, sustainable tourism initiatives, long-term investment in the US College Football Classic series, and establishment of a register of short-term letting properties as part of the Government's "Housing for All" reforms.
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage all forms of the arts, including the stage and film industry, local voluntary groups and those interested in the promotion of the arts at amateur level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47843/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures she continues to take to encourage the growth and further development of the film industry, indigenous and international, here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47851/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which this country remains an attractive base for film locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 145, 151 and 152 together.
My Department's priorities are set out in its published Statement of Strategy 2021—2023. The overarching goal is to ensure the “sectors recover and grow in a manner that underpins social cohesion and supports strong, sustainable economic growth, with a focus on a number of cross cutting goals of equality, diversity, social inclusion, the Irish language and environmental sustainability”. The Strategy sets out the actions that my Department will take over the coming period, both nationally and regionally, to enrich the quality of life in Ireland through supporting the development of tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and Irish language. In addition to their immense inherent value, these are valued by all of our communities as important resources for social cohesion, individual and community wellbeing and for the presentation of Ireland as an attractive destination for tourism and sustainable inward investment.
I was pleased to be able to announce continued record funding of €130m for the Arts Council for 2023 as well as significant support for the Night-Time Economy, Culture Ireland and Creative Ireland.
The Audio-visual Action Plan was launched in June 2018. This is an industry-wide, long-term plan, under the Creative Ireland Programme, developed to support the Government’s ambition to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of film, TV drama and animation.
The tax incentive for the Screen industries, Section 481, has been a cornerstone of the Irish screen industry in the creative and cultural value it has generated, both in terms of discovering and supporting new Irish voices, as well as showcasing Ireland’s power as an international partner, a cultural force across film, television and animation, not to mention a breath-taking location offering historic and natural beauty making it an attractive base for film locations. Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects. Screen Ireland is doing great work in regional locations. Since April 2019, over 45 regional skills development plans have been submitted to Screen Ireland and over 500 regional skills development participants have been tracked on those productions. This has led to the development of a significant skills ecosystem in the regions. On the back of new skills opportunities on Section 481 productions in the regions, many regional Higher Education and Further Education and Training providers have developed new courses aimed at the screen industry including new Springboard and Traineeship programmes at institutions like Technological University of the Shannon, Atlantic Technological University, Limerick/Clare ETB and Kilkenny/Carlow ETB. To build on this growth within the regions, Screen Ireland announced an investment of over €2,000,000 towards the establishment of five new National Talent Academies across Ireland in Wicklow, Limerick, Galway and Dublin for film and TV drama, animation and production crew. These Talent Academies will build on the success of the Section 481 skills model to develop and drive opportunities for diverse and regional talent on a national level. This along with the allocation of an additional €1m for Screen Ireland in 2023 will encourage the growth of and further development of the film industry, both indigenous and international.
