Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Section 18 provides for the regional film development uplift. As we have discussed in respect of many Finance Bills, there is an ongoing concern in respect of the employment status of many people working within the industry that still needs to be enhanced. I want to focus on the situation that some of the industry currently finds itself. Those making films or television series are finding it difficult because of Covid-19 and to insure against Covid-19. Support has been provided through the Department to the relevant agency to allow it to support companies to meet some of those costs. The problem is that when a production company is using a service agency here to hire staff, that support is not available to it.

I am aware, and I think the Minister is as well, that there is now an outflow of productions that are not taking place here any more. There is a €500 million support package in Britain and the North, and series or films which were supposed to be shot here and on which Irish actors, production crews and so forth would have been employed have relocated to Wales, the North and England because they can avail of the support fund there, which will help ensure they can continue shooting despite Covid-19.

The issue is that there is support for a company located here but if, for example, it is an American or a London company using an Irish service company there is no support for them and they are pulling out, leaving workers stranded and the resultant loss of revenue. We talk about the potential of tourism and all the spin-offs that come from that. Has the Minister looked at that? Is he concerned about it? Does he have any suggestion as to how to fix it? One way it may be fixed is to consider replicating what is already done and making sure that those type of shoots are supported here.