Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
34. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the plans which exist to develop creative-industry employment in Roscommon and Galway, such as film, animation, design, and digital content creation, in line with regional development goals; and whether new supports will be provided to encourage young creatives to remain in the region. [64505/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraScreen Ireland provides a range of supports are provided for regional productions throughout the country. In 2024, Screen Ireland invested over €6.5 million in productions, festivals, initiatives and activities that contributed to the nationwide development of the sector, including €4 million awarded through the agency’s Nationwide Additional Production Fund. Screen Ireland also provided funding supports for talent and skills development initiatives across the country, such as the National Talent Academy Network, which includes key bases in Limerick and Galway. In 2025, Screen Ireland ring-fenced funding of €5.5 million for nationwide development and Irish language storytelling. Over 50% of the live action feature film and TV drama in Screen Ireland’s 2025 slate of productions is expected to be produced or filmed on location in regions outside of the traditional filmmaking hubs of Dublin and Wicklow – including counties Donegal, Limerick, Galway, Monaghan and Sligo.
Ireland is home to several world-class film studios, boasting state-of-the-art production and post-production facilities and various support infrastructures which have helped to attract incoming productions from studios and content streaming companies. While many of the main studios are based in the Leinster region, there are a range of non-tax-based supports provided for regional productions.
Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academy network includes the National Talent Academy for Film and Television led by Ardán, the National Talent Academy for Animation led by Animation Ireland, the National Talent Academy for VFX led by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet and three regional Crew Academies currently managed by the Atlantic Academy in Galway, Film in Limerick in Limerick and Clermont Enterprise Hub in Wicklow. The network has been established 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 and career opportunities.
Addressing innovation, skills development and sectoral growth, the National Talent Academies is 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, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion.
The overarching aim of the National Talent Academies is to address and support current educational skills gaps in the screen sector. Retaining the diversity and inclusion focus present across all Academy initiatives, its ambition is to drive more Irish talent from all backgrounds and disciplines into the sector and develop greater awareness of the sector as a career path.
