John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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629. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the sale of studios (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55000/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Ardmore Studios is a commercial entity, owned 68.33% by private interests and 31.67% by the State. The State’s shareholding is managed by Enterprise Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland inherited the stake from NADCORP, the former State investment agency, in 1986. As a passive investor, Enterprise Ireland has no enterprise development role in Ardmore or any involvement in its day-to-day operations.

While Enterprise Ireland offers supports to exporting companies involved in film and the creative sector, policy responsibility for the development of the film industry rests with my colleague, Ms Josepha Madigan, TD, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The sale of the Ardmore Studios is a commercial decision by the owners of the studios. Ardmore Studios is being placed on the market for sale as a going concern.

Enterprise Ireland has not placed any preconditions on the pending sale of Ardmore Studios due to the existence of planning restrictions on the site which safeguard its use as a film-making studio into the future. Wicklow County Council has in the past confirmed to my Department that it agrees to maintain the film-only zoning as a matter of policy.

As the former Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am aware of this case and have also been briefed by my officials since my appointment as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Enterprise Ireland remains engaged with the company and their representatives. Any proposal requiring a decision will be reviewed by Enterprise Ireland in consultation with me, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. In turn, I will consult the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.