Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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484. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage internationally the use of Ireland as a film location with obvious beneficial economic implications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37728/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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2016 was a great year for the Irish film industry and there were many reminders of how successful we have been in encouraging the use of Ireland as a film location. This success was particularly evident during Ireland’s success at the 2016 Oscars with Room, Brooklynand other films. This was followed later in the year with Star Warsreturning to film here and the attendant promotional activity around the shooting.

The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcontains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. The Irish Film Board is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry. The Board promotes the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, supports inward investment, promotes the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. The Film Board also liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland in terms of maximising joint opportunities for promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions.

In Budget 2017, I securedan increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board, representing a 14% increase in its annual budget. This increase in funding will allow the Board to invest more in Irish film talent in the year ahead, and follows on from a very successful year for the Irish film sector, particularly the indigenous film sector.