Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
469. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Culture; Communications and Sport his assessment of the current distribution of film-industry infrastructure and funding across the State; if he will consider targeted supports or new initiatives to promote film-industry growth and infrastructure at regional level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65209/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of supports are provided for screen productions in Ireland, including regional productions. These are kept under review on an ongoing basis to ensure that we remain an attractive location for inward investment and continue to develop our domestic industry. In 2024, Screen Ireland invested over €6.5 million in productions, festivals, initiatives and activities that contributed to the nationwide development of the screen sector. This included €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 agency’s National Talent Academy Network, with 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, including unscripted productions.
Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academy network includes the National Talent Academy for Film and Television led by Ardán in Galway, 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 are the result of additional stimulus investment provided by my Department and form part of a wider strategy to support skills development across all regions of Ireland. They also seek to address educational skills gaps in the screen sector, and drive more Irish talent from all backgrounds and disciplines into the sector and develop greater awareness of it as a career path.
