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The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, today published the second Progress Report on the Implementation of the Audiovisual Action Plan. The Plan was launched in June 2018 and delivers on the commitment in Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland Programme to deliver an industry-wide plan to make Ireland a leader in the audiovisual sector with the actions set out in the plan being delivered across Government by relevant Departments and their agencies. The initiative aims to deliver improvements for the audiovisual sector across eight policy areas and since its launch in 2018, there has been widespread cooperation across Government on the plan.

In launching today’s report, Minister Martin referred to the challenges the sector had faced since early 2020 and commended the work undertaken across the audiovisual sector to allow for a safe return to production. “My Department works closely with Screen Ireland and the film industry to ensure the optimum conditions are in place to allow the sector to overcome the challenges of production during COVID-19 and over the past year, I have been heartened to see that safely and gradually resume.

“The Audiovisual Action Plan continues to set high-level, strategic priorities to develop a vibrant media production and audiovisual sector and to bring new economic opportunities. Despite the scale of the crisis in 2020, we have taken significant steps in relation to recommendations in the plan. I was pleased to be able to provide additional funding to Screen Ireland, including specific funding for investment in high-end TV drama as well as additional support for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in respect of the Sound and Vision Fund. Screen Ireland’s budget has increased again for 2021 which will support increased investment in production and development. The decision in the Budget to extend the regional film development uplift for an additional year at 5% was a very welcome one, as was the announcement that work would commence on development of a new tax initiative for the digital gaming sector.

“Over recent years, we have placed a strong emphasis on training and skills development in the sector and today’s Report sets out in detail the work being done in that regard. I commend all those involved and I extend my gratitude to my colleagues across government for the interdepartmental collegiality that has helped us drive this industry and Action Plan forward. The international interest in Ireland as a production location is testament to the hard work and endeavour of all stakeholders involved and I look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of the industry into the future”.

ENDS