Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to boost the domestic and international film industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39499/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises the value of audio-visual industry in its contribution to the economy and to employment and will continue to take measures to support the industry. Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions, is the responsibility of the Irish Film Board. This includes assistance with locations for the making of films. In 2015, I approved a provision of €14.6m for the Film Board, which maintained its funding at the same level as in 2014. The allocation of resources from within that provision is a matter for the Film Board, as the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry.

The other primary mechanism by which the Government supports the film industry is through section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 - the Film Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme has undergone a number of improvements, which took effect in January this year. These changes have been well received and were developed following consultations between my Department, the Irish Film Board, the Department of Finance and the audio-visual industry. The intention is to ensure that Ireland remains competitive in attracting film projects. The Film Tax Relief Scheme has been extended to the end of 2020 and in the recent Budget the Government announced an increase in the cap on this tax relief from €50 million to €70 million. I am confident that these measures will increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a destination for film investment and allow the audio-visual production sector to maintain existing jobs and create new ones. In this regard, Government Departments and public agencies are often key to assisting film companies in providing locations and other supports for film making.

An Interdepartmental Group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies was also established recently to examine and report on recommendations to increase foreign and domestic investment in Ireland’s film and TV sound stage studio infrastructure in the face of growing demand for audio-visual content across multiple platforms. This builds on the process commenced last year by the Irish Film Board, which sought expressions of interest in this regard. The Group has been meeting on a regular basis since its first meeting in January of this year and its work is on-going.