Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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222. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is considering the development of a regional filming strategy, that covers both infrastructure and funding, over a ten-year period to enable the screen industry to be embedded in regions across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27110/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Audiovisual Action Plan sets out the Government's high-level, strategic priorities to develop a vibrant media production and audiovisual sector bringing new economic opportunities across Ireland, through increased Government support.

As the national agency for the Irish film, Screen Ireland adopts a dual development approach to the audiovisual industry, balancing local Irish indigenous production and inward international production. Attracting large-scale, international projects to Ireland generates significant activity in the Irish economy, creates employment opportunities and fosters the development of world-class skills alongside ensuring strong levels of investment in Irish stories on screen and projects creatively led by Irish artists.

Screen Ireland provides Nationwide Additional Production Funding to support the growth of production activity particularly in areas that have not traditionally benefited from regular production activity. This can include productions that aim to inspire the next generation of local crew and talent and/or engage the wider local community on the project or the audiovisual industry and/or attract new audiences.

Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academy network includes five academies for film, television, animation and crew across the country, driving the development of skills for the industry throughout the State. The National Talent Academy Crew Hubs are based in the West, East and South of the country – ensuring a widespread balance of skills and opportunity development for crew at all levels.

The development of a regional film strategy was the raised at the Section 481 stakeholder forum held earlier this year by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance was the need for regional support for the film industry and I hope to raise these and other issues in consultation with my cabinet colleagues in discussions in advance of Budget 2025.

Since the forum took place, the cap for Section 481 increased from €70m to €125m per project. It is expected that the increased cap will send a strong international message that aligns with and bolsters our infrastructure, facilities, experienced crews, creative talent and beautiful scenery and will also greatly assist in addressing the challenges faced in regional studios in attracting productions.