Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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256. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the additional supports given the film industry to help it overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. [17408/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Government has introduced measures to support workers and businesses affected by COVID-19 that apply to all sectors of the economy, including those who work in the film industry. These include wage and employment supports, as well as business supports.

In terms of direct support to the audiovisual sector, my Department and Screen Ireland have focused on bringing forward the payment of grants awarded this year to ensure financial commitments can be met.

Screen Ireland – the development agency for the Irish Film Industry – has established a COVID-19 Industry Sub-Committee as part of its planning for recovery. The Sub-Committee has been working together with industry stakeholders including Animation Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, Visual Effects Association Ireland, Commercials Producers Ireland, Screen Guilds of Ireland, SIPTU and Equity to address key issues and further support measures required. The Covid-19 Sub-Committee aims to respond to the on-going needs of the industry as they arise during the pandemic.

At the outset, Screen Ireland moved quickly to introduce supporting measures following informal consultation with stakeholder groups. These early measures included

- measures to support cashflow;

- distribution support;

- supports for the promotion of Irish film;

- provision of as much of Screen Skills Ireland content as possible online.

Screen Ireland has also introduced further measures to support the industry. Importantly, the measures are directed to the sustainability of the industry with a strong focus on development support. This is intended to ensure companies are well positioned for launch as production recommences. These measures include the following:

- In addition to its normal production and development rounds, Screen Ireland has already allocated €4.5 million in COVID-19 support measures for the Irish film and TV industry amid the Covid-19 crisis which includes commitments to:

- provision of 90% funding upfront on all development loans to Irish screenwriters and production companies through to 31st July 2020;

- extension of existing development and production loan offers which are due to expire in the coming months to 31st July 2020;

- provision of additional marketing and distribution support for upcoming Irish film and TV releases during this period;

- increase the Strategic Slate Development Fund to €3 million to support strategic slate project development;

- introduction a new €1 million COVID-19 Production Fund, to assist with additional production costs associated with implementing the new guidelines as the industry returns to work.

- provision of an additional €1 million in enhanced development support across feature film , TV and Animation;

- a new Creative Concept Development Scheme to Irish directors and writers;

- funding to companies in need of urgent financial planning support;

- continued provision of skills development opportunities to Industry practitioners with Screen Skills Ireland delivering some of its planned activity for 2020 online free-of-charge and support for industry professionals to undertake high level online skills development courses;

- repurposing of two of Screen Skills Ireland’s funding schemes to assist Irish organisations and film festivals to provide online industry events including masterclasses, workshops and seminars;

- introduction of two new funding schemes through Screen Skills Ireland to support industry professionals and stakeholders:

- the Stakeholders & Guilds Funding Scheme which announced the 11 successful organisations and initiatives who will share funding of €200,000 on 25 June 2020. This funding will be used to deliver a wide variety of skills development activities for the Irish screen sector

- a Screen Mentoring Funding Scheme to support industry professionals to access Mentor support.

My Department continues to engage across Government Departments and State Agencies on matters affecting the sector through the Audiovisual Action Plan Steering Group.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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261. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the additional supports provided to organisations (details supplied) and those associated or working with the traditional Irish music sector to help them survive and overcome the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. [17413/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are in receipt on an annual subvention of €1.6m from my Department. This subvention remains in place for 2020.

My Department has recently received additional funding of €25m to assist with stabilising the sector in the context of the impacts of COVID-19. €20m of this was allocated to the Arts Council and a further €5m will be allocated to other measures, including securing the future of key cultural and museums spaces and facilities through Ireland, and the production of high-quality digital art and on-line performances. While the details are currently being finalised, funding requirements for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and other bodies are being considered in this context.

Na Píopairí Uileann are primarily funded through the Arts Council, who are independent in the allocation of their funding. Any additional supports for this body would be a matter for the Arts Council.

In general terms, there are number of traditional Irish music projects funding through the Creative Ireland programme through local authorities, including Keeping the Uilleann Pipes Alive – Craobh na Mara in Co. Fingal and Ceangal an Cheoil in Co. Louth. Further ventures supported through Cruinniú na nÓg include the online Céilí in the Kitchen and Online Traditional Song Workshops for Children –across 10 local authorities.