Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:
325. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of all individuals and entities who obtained funding from Screen Ireland under the Covid-19 production fund; and the monetary amount which they received and the date of payment in tabular form. [51999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, along with having responsibility for policy within the audiovisual industry, I allocate funding to Screen Ireland, the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. Regarding the specific query on who obtained funding from Screen Ireland under the Covid-19 production fund, I have referred your question to Screen Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
Please find attached the requested information in relation to recipients of Screen Ireland’s Covid 19 Production Fund. The Covid 19 Production fund is designed to partially offset the additional costs associated with implementing the highest standard of health and safety protocols on set during production. The protocols aim to ensure the health and safety of cast and crew and to minimise outbreaks of COVID-19 to ensure that productions can remain up and running and avoid costly shutdowns.
The COVID-19 Production Fund remains under continual review. However, the consensus view is that retention of the Screen Industry COVID-19 Production guidelines (copy attached) and associated support is still required to ensure continuity of production in the context of ongoing COVID-19 challenges.
COVID-19 Production Fund Eligibility and Process
The current COVID-19 Production Fund guidelines state that Screen Ireland-funded productions can apply for the COVID-19 Production Fund for an amount of up to 15% of Screen Ireland’s production loan, up to €75,000. Every production is currently eligible to apply for two separate funding awards to a combined total of 150K. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to the specific requirements of the project itself. The applicant is required to make a further application for the second award, with documentation to justify additional support. The applicant is required to make a further application, with documentation to justify additional support.
COVID-19 Production Fund – Background/Context
Although COVID-19 restrictions have eased, the self-isolation rules for positive COVID-19 cases remain the same. This has in fact created a more challenging situation for film production – with increased levels of transmissibility and opportunities to contract COVID-19, productions are more frequently impacted by positive tests. These impacts include direct cost implications as well as indirect by increasing the overall costs of production – for more details on these impacts, please see the Screen Industry COVID-19 Production guidelines attached.
