Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The sale of the studio referred to by the Deputy is first and foremost a matter for my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys. I can confirm, however, that her Department has kept my Department informed of the progress and ultimate acquisition of the facility in question. In March this year I issued a press release welcoming the acquisition of the studios by an Irish company. Ireland is an attractive location for film production and the facility referred to by the Deputy will continue to operate as a studio.

I want to ensure that Ireland continues as an attractive location for film production and also becomes a global leader in this area. On Monday last, 18 June, the name of the Irish Film Board was changed to Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.

Fís Éireann or Screen Ireland is the national development agency for the Irish film, television drama and animation industry.  Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of the industry in Ireland. In 2018, €18 million was allocated to Screen Ireland, an increase of €1.55 million from the previous year. Screen Ireland also supports the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment and the use of Ireland as a location for international production, and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. Screen Ireland liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland to maximise opportunities for the promotion of Ireland as a location for film production. Information on its funding scheme is available on its website.

The Government also supports the film industry through the film tax credit scheme, as provided for in section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.  The twin approach of direct funding and tax expenditure measures maximises the benefits of the Government's support to the audiovisual industry. In addition, pillar four of the Creative Ireland programme focuses on Ireland's potential to be a global leader in film production, television drama, documentary, children's storytelling and animation. 

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