Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the tax beneficial arrangements his Department currently operate regarding the TV and film industry here; the financial benefits that are available to studios when producing here; if his attention has been drawn to the tax regime currently operating in Northern Ireland for film production; his views on whether Ireland is competitive in this regard against Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24935/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 is the provision in question. It allows tax relief for investments in certain films. The types of film eligible for certification include feature film, television drama, creative documentary and animation. There is no provision within this scheme for film studios. The scheme is kept under regular review in conjunction with the Irish Film Board and any enhancements considered necessary to retain or regain competitiveness are brought to the attention of the Minister for Finance, as appropriate. The scheme has been extended to the end of 2020 in the recent Finance Act. The extension of Section 481 was one of the important recommendations included in the Creative Capital Report that was published in 2011 and which sets out a strategy for building Ireland's audiovisual creative economy.

This extension will give certainty to the Irish audiovisual sector over the next seven years or so and allow it to maintain the existing jobs in the sector and hopefully create new ones. The sector has managed in recent years to maintain a significant level of production in difficult economic circumstances. There are always challenges to face in the film sector from neighbouring jurisdictions, but with the talent available in this country, both in front of and behind the camera, and ongoing support from the Government, I am confident that these challenges can be met and overcome.

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 (IFB). The IFB is funded through my Department, but is statutorily independent and I have no role in its day to day operations. The IFB has been allocated €14.858m in 2013 to carry out its functions.