Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has discussed the suggestion by TG4 for a Gaeltacht uplift for section 481 tax credit for film production with the Minister for Finance; and if her Department has engaged in any analysis of the consequences for the film sector of the phasing out of the regional uplift. [8404/23]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Has there been any discussion with TG4 or about TG4's proposal for a Gaeltacht uplift for section 481 tax credit for film production, especially given the success in recent years of Irish language films?

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The section 481 film tax relief and any changes to the relief are a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Finance.

I am sure that the House will join me in congratulating "The Banshees of Inisherin" on the four BAFTAs it secured on Sunday night, especially Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan for their best supporting acting roles. This film was supported by section 481. I would also like to commend TG4, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, and Screen Ireland for supporting the pipeline of high-quality drama content in the Irish language, especially "An Cailín Ciúin". The section 481 tax relief also supported the making of that film, which is in contention for an Oscar. Section 481 was also an important component in the financing of "The Banshees of Inisherin", which along with "An Cailín Ciúin", is central to the record number of Oscar nominations secured by Irish films and filmmakers in 2023. I would like to take this opportunity again to convey my deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of James Flynn, who died last week. He played a prominent role in the making of "The Banshees of Inisherin", and was a leading figure in Irish film and TV drama production.

As the Deputy will be aware, TG4, in conjunction with Udarás na Gaeltachta, published a proposal to establish a section 481 Gaeltacht uplift. My officials have met with them to discuss the proposal. The proposal will also be considered by the steering group overseeing the Government's ten-year audiovisual action plan and be the subject of consultation with sectoral stakeholders. Ultimately, it will be examined, along with a number of other related issues, in the context of ongoing engagement with the Department of Finance on film incentives ahead of the budget later this year. This will typically include bilateral engagement with the Minister for Finance.

With regard to the analysis of the impact of the section 481 regional uplift, as part of budget 2023 the Minister for Finance published the Budget 2023 Report on Tax Expenditures 2022. This included a chapter on the cost-benefit analysis of the section 481 film tax credit that was undertaken by his Department in September 2022. The analysis covers the regional uplift and the report is available online. Screen Ireland also undertakes interventions in the regions that advance the Government's objective of balanced regional development.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I also extend my condolences to the family of James Flynn and congratulate all those who have been nominated for BAFTAs and Oscars. I also congratulate all those involved in the Irish language film industry as a whole, because they have set an example of what can be done in Cine4 and TG4. Indeed, TG4, in particular, can be praised for having the foresight. That is why it produced the proposal for a section 481 Gaeltacht uplift, similar to the regional uplift, but addressing some of the faults in regional uplift. It has asked that this get due consideration and urgent consideration so that we can continue to benefit from the support and the grá that is out there for Irish language films at the moment, so we do not lose that timing. The regional uplift is coming to an end and we need to ensure that we continue that work.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I am very supportive of content in Irish language. I am engaging with stakeholders to identify what will work best. As a publisher-broadcaster, TG4 commissions its content from the independent production sector, supporting jobs in the Gaeltacht regions, in particular. While increased activity in audiovisual content production may be of benefit to TG4 in commissioning content for its schedule, it is important to point out that since taking office, I have provided significant additional resources to TG4. For example, an increase of €7.3 million was provided, building on the €4.2 million increase we provided for in 2022. An increase in funding allocation for 2023 is the provision of €3.3 million for the establishment of Cúla4, a dedicated Irish language channel. The increases are hugely significant not only in respect of Irish language programming, but in the role played by TG4 in the delivery of the Government's 20-year strategy for the Irish language. It will enable TG4 to better serve Irish-speaking communities and provide increased support to our regional creative companies. We are all incredibly proud to see that not only has "An Cailín Ciúin" brought our Irish language to world stage, but also to see it on the red carpet and to see our own Irish actors speaking in our native tongue, and the prominence that this has given to our language on the world stage. Our actors are to be commended, too, for what they are doing to promote our language.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Yes, they are to be commended and we all wish them well, in particular, with the Oscars. Hopefully, they will come back with more silverware, as it were. It is not silverware because the Oscars are gold. Hopefully, that reflects a greater investment and a greater concentration on Gaeltacht regions in particular. It is with that in mind that TG4 put forward a proposal for a section 481 Gaeltacht uplift. That is not just because the station has produced good films but also because this generates employment in Gaeltacht areas. At the same time, we are enhancing the Irish language. Everybody was happy to see Brendan Gleeson and Paul Mescal speaking as Gaeilge, along with the producers of "An Cailín Ciúin" and others. It was great to see, but that has to be matched with ensuring that even in downtimes when the successes are not as great as we have seen, there is investment or at least a tax relief that will allow investment in the ongoing development of the Gaeltacht film industry.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the section 481 film tax relief ultimately lies with the Minister for Finance. There are great things happening. Cine4 is a collaboration between Screen Ireland, TG4 and the BAI. Since its introduction back in 2017, Screen Ireland's budget has more than doubled from €16.9 million in 2017 to a record of €37.9 million. That has meant that Screen Ireland now has five Irish language TV dramas on its development slate. This process can take a number of years, but Screen Ireland has also announced and is currently reviewing further short production and development programmes with TG4. One is the Irish language version of "Storyland", Irish language pilot, "Céim Eile", and the others are short scripted pieces for greenshoot talent, "Tús". Screen Ireland has also supported the promotion of "An Cailín Ciúin" throughout the US and is working with consulates across the US on it. A second film, "Róise & Frank", is also about to be released in the US. Films that received Cine4 funding also include "Finky", "Arracht", "Róise & Frank", "An Cailín Ciúin" and "An tEarrach Thiar". Films currently in the pipeline for development include "An Fhidil Ghorm" and "Fréamhacha". Screen Ireland is also exploring a documentary programme and has financed a number of Irish language and bilingual animations, such as "Fia's Fairies" and "Tales from Dún Draíochta". Screen Ireland has a regional investment programme to help with the development of film in the regions.