Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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173. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps his Department is taking to ensure regional balance when it comes to film and audiovisual production throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35000/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Government supports for the audiovisual industry in Ireland includes the Section 481 tax relief and funding schemes provided by Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán.

A thriving audiovisual sector in Ireland requires a balance between domestic and incoming 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, bringing the cultural and economic benefits to the entire country.

In 2024, Screen Ireland invested over €8 million in projects, initiatives and activities that contributed to nationwide development of the sector. Screen Ireland ring-fenced at least €3.7m in its 2024 planned expenditure for nationwide activity and the actual outturn was higher due to demand. It included a Nationwide Additional Production Fund that funded a wide range of sectoral stakeholders and events across the regions, including organisations with both a national remit and those with a regional focus. The Screen Stakeholders Scheme offers programme funding for a broad range of learning and development courses, programmes and initiatives.

The National Talent Academies Network was established in 2021 to develop a highly skilled, diverse talent and crew base throughout the country, offering a wide range of activities for the Irish screen industry including courses, programmes, mentoring and shadowing opportunities. Addressing innovation, skills development and sectoral growth, the Talent Academies are the result of additional stimulus investment provided by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and forms part of a wider strategy to support skills development across all regions of Ireland.

In Gaeltacht areas, Screen Ireland, TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta work in partnership with Irish language production companies 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.

'Smaointe', the Irish language Slate Scheme has also been launched which is valued at €1m and has a closing date of 31st July 2025 for applications.