Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Irish Film Board Act 1980, raising the ceiling on the total cumulative amount the IFB can provide to support the production and development of Irish films during the lifetime of the organisation. If this legislation is passed the ceiling will increase from €200 million to €300 million. The current level was set by the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act 2006 and the board has almost reached that limit. Given the importance of the Irish film industry and its future potential, we will support this increase.

The Irish Film Board was established in 1980. Its objectives are to promote the creative and commercial elements of Irish film-making and film culture to a home and international audience. The board supports film projects through the provision of development funding and it also provides production finance by way of debt equity investment. It encourages the development and training of technical, artistic and production personnel as a means of improving the overall skills proficiency within the industry. It also assists the production and marketing of Irish films within Ireland and abroad, as a means of stimulating an interest in Ireland, Irish culture and Irish film.

I would like to take this opportunity to compliment the Irish Film Board on the great work it has done and is continuing to do. The previous Government understood the benefits of the film industry and supported the industry through section 481 tax reliefs. Those reliefs have helped the Irish Film Board to attract major productions to Ireland. The industry has gained invaluable experience as a result. The industry has consistently demonstrated high quality standards of work. It has earned several prestigious international awards and has developed valuable international connections. The favourable tax environment and the invaluable experience held by Irish film crews are helping to secure a stream of new projects.

Early next year, Danny DeVito will direct his next feature film in Ireland. This was confirmed by the Irish Film Board on 16 September last. The film, which will star Morgan Freeman and Pierce Brosnan, was originally due to start shooting in September 2008 in the US. After meeting the Irish Film Board last May, those making the film have decided to shoot the entire film in Ireland next year. This will give us another opportunity to show ourselves on an international basis. I give full credit to the staff of the Irish Film Board for ensuring that this will happen. The extension of the tax reliefs and enhancements for films until 2015 has helped to consolidate Ireland's international position. This was a most welcome measure in last year's budget in the context of the broad clampdown on tax reliefs. There is huge potential in this relatively young sector. Those involved in it are extremely well educated. Some 90% of them are freelancers under the age of 50, with 59% of them having achieved master's or postgraduate degrees. This compares with just 43% of those involved in the sector in the UK.

Last year, funding of €18.431 million was allocated to the Irish Film Board for 2011. This was in addition to the section 481 film tax relief. We are calling on the Government to maintain this important tax relief, along with the funding that is given to the Irish Film Board. The benefits of film and television production in Ireland are not restricted to job creation in the industry. One of the positive spin-off effects of this activity is that it promotes Ireland as a tourist destination, industrial location and centre of all aspects of creative endeavours. The Minister will be aware that I have suggested that this country should explore the Canadian model in a bid to create further employment in the gaming sector.

The Creative Capital recommendations, which were published recently, are based on the 2008 review of the audiovisual content production industry. The Irish Film Board commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct the review. The main recommendation in the report is that the remit and mandate of the Irish Film Board should be extended to allow it to act as a specialist development agency for the audiovisual industry. The report also recommended that the board should have responsibility for training and talent development. The Irish Film Board and Enterprise Ireland should co-ordinate a development plan for the audiovisual content industry. The plan should be based on the specific experience and expertise of each organisation. The Irish Film Board and IDA Ireland should develop a strategic plan to attract foreign direct investment in the audiovisual content industry. This should not be done at the expense of local companies.

We need to increase the role of the Irish Film Board with regard to the creative and technical skills that are required by the industry. We need to work with the education sector to develop these skills. Currently, the Irish Film Board works with FÁS through Screen Training Ireland. The Irish Film Board should develop strategic partnerships with local broadcasters The report has made a number of recommendations about the future of the Irish film industry, some of which are positive and warrant further consideration. I hope the Minister will arrange to have this report discussed in the House in the near future, before any decisions are taken. I would like to take this opportunity to convey to the Minister my disappointment about the 2012-16 capital investment framework. It seems there will be a cut of approximately 20% in capital funding for the arts over the course of the framework.

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