Ms Désirée Finnegan:

On the studio fund, the news of the potential development at Borleagh Manor is really welcome. There are significant opportunities in the local areas where such studios are built. Troy Studios in Limerick is an example. It is possible to a build local crew base, really working with the community. The Borleagh Manor proposal is a significant opportunity for Wexford. Proximity to motorways and airports is key when productions are brought in so they can easily move back and forth. It is welcome news.

I absolutely agree with the Deputy on the animation front, on the opportunity in the area of animation and on the emerging technology. The fund was designed with these in mind. It is a matter of considering what emerging technology exists. The animation sector has many interesting ideas on how it could develop. We wanted to give some seed funding to help to explore some of those ideas. The fund is €400,000. We are working in partnership with Animation Ireland to administer it. I really look forward to what might come from it.