Written answers

Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Film Industry Development

9:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the Irish Film Board Review; the steps being considered on foot of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41258/08]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has considered this review in detail, and in particular its recommendations and findings. There were two key recommendations: (1) the Irish Film Board should agree with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism a set of measurable, quantifiable targets, including the timeframes for their delivery and the performance indicators by which progress will be measured, for the period 2006-2010. Performance indicators employed in this context should refer both to the outputs of the Board's activities and to outcomes for the industry. (2) The type of indicators now to be provided should include, inter alia, — number of films made, total budgets, employment generated in the State, total spend in the State, and number of personnel trained. I am pleased to say that both of these recommendations are being implemented and procedures are now in place to ensure that appropriate mechanisms exist to enable my Department to monitor these on an ongoing basis in the context of the determination of the Irish Film Board's annual funding.

With regard to the findings, a key finding of the Review was that the Irish Film Board has established a system of schemes and supports, designed to assist all levels of the industry and without which significantly fewer Irish films would be made, resulting in a dilution of Irish culture on screen.

In 2008 the film "ONCE" won the Oscar for Best Original Song, while "HUNGER" won the Camera D'Or award at Cannes in May. The award at Cannes was the third year running that Irish film had been honoured at the Festival Cannes following on from "THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY" and "GARAGE". These awards are testament to the fact that film, as part of the audiovisual medium, is an area in which Ireland continues to excel.

Film and filmmaking are of great value to Ireland, both financially and culturally. There is now more than ever greater global competition in securing film and television productions. Ireland continues to hold its own in this area thanks to the work of the Irish Film Board, our impressive talent pool of directors, writers, actors and technical crews and the various Government supports that are on offer, including Section 481 – which was extended until the end of 2012 in Budget 2008.

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