Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 33: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the efforts he will make to ensure that Ireland remains an attractive location for film makers; his views on the fact that several years have passed since a big budget blockbuster film has been made here; the efforts he will make to ensure that Ireland does not lose out to other low cost locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19249/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The task of attracting international production into Ireland is dependent on a number of elements, not all of which fall within the sphere of influence of my Department or that of the Irish Film Board (IFB). Decisions to site a film project in a particular territory involve complex funding, cultural, logistical and project-specific elements all of which are crucial for a successful result.

Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions is a matter for the Irish Film Board. This agency is funded through my Department and is independent of the Department in its operations.

My Department's primary operational role in supporting the film sector relates to the administration of elements of the section 481 tax relief scheme. The scheme is kept under review in conjunction with the Irish Film Board and any necessary amendments to retain or regain competitiveness will be addressed and brought to the attention of the Minister for Finance as appropriate. In that regard, the Department of Finance in conjunction with my Department and the Irish Film Board, is currently undertaking a review of the case for improvement in respect of the section 481 scheme. Consultants have been appointed by the Department of Finance and it is envisaged that the study will identify a structured way forward to develop and consolidate the Irish film industry, taking account of the serious international competition issues now apparent.

The Irish Film Board with its overall funding for 2007 increased to €19.7m will be able to continue with its key role of developing and supporting film production in Ireland. The increased current allocation will facilitate the Irish Film Board in marketing Ireland as a film location and, in particular, will assist the work of the Film Commissioner in Los Angeles in raising the profile of the Irish audiovisual industry abroad.

The continuing increases in capital funding to the Irish Film Board since 2004 have ensured support to meet the demands of the industry in the areas of project and talent development, training and indigenous film and television production. The increased support enables the IFB to fulfil its aim of sustained growth of the industry — increasing the number and quality of films produced in Ireland each year. In aggregate, since 2002 the film and TV production spend in Ireland, supported by the Irish Film Board and section 481, has approached almost €500m.