Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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241. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has any plans to introduce targeted regional supports for the TV and film production sector, particularly in the northwest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38704/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I have received a number of 2025 Budget submissions from various industry stakeholders and consideration will be given to these submissions in the context of the ongoing Budget preparations.

The principal Government supports for the audiovisual sector include the Section 481 tax relief and funding for the operation of Screen Ireland, now at record levels. Decisions on tax reliefs, including Section 481, are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.

Developing a thriving audiovisual sector requires a fine balance between domestic and international production. Screen Ireland is the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry and it adopts a dual approach to sectoral development to provide strong funding levels for local independent Irish filmmaking and TV drama production, while also attracting large-scale, international productions to the country. Screen Ireland recognises the importance of continuing to support existing production hubs, while encouraging the development of emerging hubs so that new opportunities for local and international production can take place across Ireland, including the North-West, bringing the cultural and economic benefits to the entire country.

In 2023, Screen Ireland invested over €5 million in projects, initiatives and activities that contributed to nationwide development of the sector. As the Regional Uplift tapered, Screen Ireland ring-fenced up to €3.5m in its 2023 expenditure for nationwide activity, which included the establishment of a Nationwide Additional Production Fund as well as funding a wide range of sectoral stakeholders and events across the regions. This includes organisations with both a national remit, and those with a regional focus. The Screen Stakeholders Scheme offers programmatic funding for a broad range of learning and development courses, programmes and initiatives.

In Gaeltacht areas, Screen Ireland, TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta work closely in partnership with Irish language production companies nationwide to continue to foster Irish language film and TV production. Irish language film is in a new era, thanks to the success of films like An Cailín Ciúin. Further implementation of the coordinated strategy to grow the Irish screen industry nationwide, both economically and culturally, will involve all stakeholders continuing to work in partnership.