Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports she provides for the indigenous film and television production sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19836/16]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I asked the Minister to outline the support she provides for the indigenous film and television production sector, and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Film Board has primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of the indigenous sector and inward productions. Its aim is to help film-makers to make Irish films and provide production and development loans for features, television programmes, animation projects, documentaries and short films. The board supports and promotes the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. The film board also liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland in terms of maximising joint opportunities for the promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions. Examples of this could be seen during Ireland’s success at the Oscars this year and the promotional activity around the shooting of Star Wars in Ireland.

Film-making in Ireland is also supported by the section 481 film tax credit system, which incentivises film investment in Ireland. This incentive was enhanced in the budget for 2016, when the cap for eligible expenditure on film projects was increased from €50 million to €70 million.

Clearly, funding across the public service was severely impacted by the economic crisis, including the funding that could be provided for investment in culture and the arts. Since my appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year. The allocation to the Irish Film Board in 2016, at almost €14.5 million, shows an increase of 3.6% from last year. I am pleased I have already been able to provide some additional funding support to the film board this year, with additional current funding of €500,000. This increased investment will help to maximise the benefits brought about by the enhancement of the section 481 film tax credit system to which I have referred.

The programme for a partnership Government contains an ambitious agenda of priorities to achieve a stable, sustainable and secure funding model for the arts, in line with improvements in the economy and the public finances.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister. We all agree that the indigenous film and television production sector has a significant cultural and economic impact in Ireland. Indigenous producers preserve Ireland's rich cultural heritage and chronicle what it means to be Irish. The sector has enjoyed many successes in recent years and competes well on the world stage. However, there is a growing belief that assistance is needed, in particular in the form of increased funding for the Irish film board and the introduction of a film policy for RTE.

Does the Minister have any plans in regard to this? Is there a key area in the forthcoming culture 2025 proposals? The Minister will be aware that this allows us to create and preserve our artistic heritage in a format that has mass appeal and is viewed by large audiences across home and abroad. It is imperative that the funding and tax credits for this vital sector to which the Minister referred are preserved and increased so that indigenous producers may continue to capture and promote our national identity and attract foreign direct investment to provide high-quality jobs. Is that the commitment the Minister can and will make?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The success of the Irish Film Board is tremendous in terms of the level of funding it receives. The Deputy is correct. It supports productions. It secured seven nominations at this year's Oscars. Lenny Abrahamson was nominated in the best director category for "Room". "Room" and "Brooklyn" were nominated in the best picture category and Emma Donoghue who was nominated in the best adapted screenplay category for "Room", which she adapted from her award-winning book. Nick Hornby was also nominated in this category for "Brooklyn". Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan were nominated in the best actress in a leading role category for "Room" and "Brooklyn", respectively. The board does tremendous work. I will seek the support of the Deputy in terms of the budgetary process.

The money we invest in the film board is well spent and we get a great return for it.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister will be aware that independent producers and production companies employ several thousand people and foster a habitat for the type of creative talent that attracts big-budget productions. An analysis by the Revenue Commissioners showed that the estimated expenditure on employment for projects availing of section 481 in 2015 was €97 million and that approximately 1,200 jobs were supported. A further €70 million was spent on goods and services. In 2014 the Irish Film Board invested just over €10 million in production activities which enabled Irish producers to leverage funding, thereby generating production expenditure of more than €42 million for the funding of IFB projects in that year. Increasing IFB funding could have a significant multiplier effect, and I urge the Minister to give that active consideration.

The Minister is not responsible for RTE, but broadcasting should be part of the arts brief. In contrast with many European countries, Ireland has no legislative or regulated commitment from its national broadcaster, RTE, to spend a minimum amount on locally produced films. Could the Minister raise the issue with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Naughten, and have the matter examined?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have met with the chairperson of RTE and we had a very positive meeting. RTE wishes to work in a collaborative manner. We had significant collaboration with RTE for the 2016 commemorations. I note what the Deputy said about the expenditure by film companies, which is very good news for this country. The tax value of the Government's support for the film industry is €85 million per annum. The aggregate value in 2015 was €70 million in tax credits - this is real taxpayers' money to support and encourage investment in this country and to support indigenous film makers and the industry as well.

I would like the film board to focus also on rural areas, because when a town is chosen as a location for a film it is of major significance to the local economy. "Star Wars" is a powerful example of that. I remember when "The Butcher Boy" was filmed in Clones, and "The Playboys" and "The Run of the Country" were filmed in Redhills. We should work to get the film industry to locate in such places as Monaghan and Cavan.