Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

200. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to engage with cultural groups of local and national importance throughout the country and County Kildare, with a view to maximisation of culture as a means of promoting business and boosting the economy at local and national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46053/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

201. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her office continue to encourage cultural projects at local and national level, with a view to ensuring maximisation of economic benefit through the medium of culture and tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46054/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

202. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage all forms of the Arts including the stage and film industry, local voluntary groups and those interested in the promotion of the Arts at amateur and local level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46055/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures she continues to take to encourage the growth of and further development of the film industry here, both indigenous and international; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46060/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

208. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which this country remains an attractive base for film location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46061/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 201, 202, 207 and 208 together.

Screen Ireland is the national agency for the development of the Irish film, television drama, animation and documentary industry and is under the aegis of my Department. Screen Ireland invests in production activity in several ways, including local production activity investment, inward production support for international producers and co-productions, and the promotion of Ireland as a film location internationally.

Irish creatives and Irish production companies have achieved outstanding international success in recent years. Irish films, high-end TV drama, animation and documentaries have premiered at all major international festivals, sold in every territory around the world and received critical acclaim and awards recognition at the highest levels. These successes are about individual talent and the collective work of a highly skilled creative industry. It is part of a long-term strategic vision led by sustained investment in Irish filmmakers and artists over many decades.

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

Nationwide skills development plays a crucial role across industry growth and continued production activity across the country. Screen Ireland provides a wide range of career supports at all levels – supporting first-time writers, directors and producers, as well as crew. The skills team in Screen Ireland address ongoing skills needs across the country through its online courses, funding schemes, courses and other activities, and through its work in relation to the skills requirements of the Section 481 tax credit.

In 2023, Screen Ireland supported over 5,000 skills participants across a range of activities, both directly and through its National Talent Academy Network, and evaluated over 50 skills development plans from Section 481-supported film and television productions.

The National Talent Academy network, which was established in 2022, comprises six Talent Academies based around the country, with a key focus on diversity and inclusion.

Screen Ireland's Inward Production team supports international production in Ireland, promoting Ireland as a filming location for international studios and production companies. The team promotes and sells Ireland as an attractive place to base a film or high-end television production, based on Ireland’s range of locations, crew expertise and experience, high-end facilities and the attractive tax credit of 32% offered by the Irish government, Section 481. They facilitate and advise these productions on visa applications, location scouting, studio space and more. Screen Ireland continues to promote the extension of the Section 481 Film Tax Relief to 2028 and the increase of the cap from €70m up to €125m.

In Budget 2025, an 8% Uplift has been introduced to section 481, to address the significant challenges faced by smaller feature film projects. This uplift is subject to State Aid approval and will apply to feature film productions with a maximum global budget of €20 million.

Also announced in Budget 2025 was the introduction of a 20% tax incentive for unscripted production, which offers further opportunities for growth across the Irish screen industry.

Screen Ireland continues to work to increase Ireland’s international profile, bringing international production activity to Ireland, and deepening US-Ireland industry relationships through the agency's LA office, established in 2021, and Screen Ireland’s Head of US Production & Partnerships.

Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland. The Arts Council's commitment to the arts is provided for in its 10-years investment Strategy - Making Great Art Work.

Arts participation is a core value across all areas of the Arts Council's work and it is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland. The Council provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts, including Creative Schools, Creative Places, Creative Europe and Culture Night, as well as fostering the Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion plans. For example, Culture Night, in collaboration with RTÉ creates opportunities for artists at all levels. Details of all these programmes are available on the Arts Council's website.

In Budget 2025, I am providing a record of €140m in 2025 for the Arts Council.

A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support is provided to arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. Arts centres are where artists and audiences meet and this is a key part of the Arts Council strategy to invest in public engagement. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist and maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for specific grant schemes.

Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels and include:

• Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• In 2024 €7.6m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage. I have managed to secure the highest ever allocation of €8 million for Culture Ireland in Budget 2025
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme is a three year, €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
• Increased funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives.
• A new pilot capital support scheme for Arts, Culture and the Night Time Economy will support development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs, artists’ workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs and carbon footprints.
• The Music Capital Scheme managed by Music Network provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2023 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• Funding is provided for cultural events such as St Patrick’s Festival, Other Voices and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that in turns helps to sustain the arts at all levels.
• In collaboration with the local authorities, Fáilte Ireland's regional festival scheme is available to local community festivals.
• A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000.
• Tourism Ireland works with many festivals to provide exposure for them in key markets overseas
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Gaeltacht areas also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.