The section 481 film tax relief and any changes to the relief are a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Finance.

I am very supportive of content in the Irish language. I am engaging with stakeholders to identify what will work best. As a publisher-broadcaster, TG4 commissions its content from the independent production sector, supporting jobs in the Gaeltacht regions, in particular. While increased activity in audiovisual content production may be of benefit to TG4 in commissioning content for its schedule, it is important to point out that since taking office, I have provided significant additional resources to TG4. For exam…

Responsibility for the section 481 film tax relief ultimately lies with the Minister for Finance. There are great things happening. Cine4 is a collaboration between Screen Ireland, TG4 and the BAI. Since its introduction back in 2017, Screen Ireland's budget has more than doubled from €16.9 million in 2017 to a record of €37.9 million. That has meant that Screen Ireland now has five Irish language TV dramas on its development slate. This process can take a number of years, but Screen Ireland has also announced and …

While we head into 2023 in a relatively strong position following last year's rebound in international visitors, I am conscious that there are immediate challenges facing our tourism industry. Notwithstanding this, we must continue to plan for further recovery in the sector and build for a sustainable future. In budget 2023, I secured an additional €5 million allocation for the tourism agencies to continue the development of a new tourism initiative as provided for in the programme for Government. In keeping with t…

I absolutely agree with the Deputy. The new national policy to mainstream sustainability that is under development requires such joined-up thinking around sustainable travel. It also requires joined-up thinking across Departments. We need to include food tourists, as the Deputy said. That would make sense. We are trying to drive people out of the capital city and into the regions for longer stays. We need to work on what is available in those communities, including local food, festivals and artists. We need to work…

A number of issues were raised. On the question of the two out of 17 routes, I will bring that matter to the attention of my officials. Perhaps it will engage with CIE Tours. I will also bring the question of Achill Island and the Tourism Ireland twinning initiative to my officials. We may get back to the Deputy on that. There are incredible opportunities for screen tourism given the spotlight "An Cailín Ciúin" and "The Banshees of Inisherin", which was shot on the beautiful west coast, have put on our country. As …

Tá Slí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin ar cheann de na bealaí cósta sainithe is faide ar domhan, agus 2,600 ciliméadar ar fad inti. Téann sé síos an cósta thiar ó Leithinis Inis Eoghain sa tuaisceart go baile álainn Chionn tSáile, Contae Chorcaí, sa deisceart. Is earnáil eacnamaíoch ríthábhachtach í an turasóireacht go náisiúnta, agus cruthaíonn earnálacha an lóistín agus an fháilteachais an-chuid fostaíochta inár réigiúin. Go hindíreach, tacaíonn turasóireacht le príomhearnálacha seirbhíse lena n-áirítear miondíol, iompar ag…

Mar a dúirt mé, ní mór a rá go bhfuil an Coimisinéir Teanga sásta leis an gcur chuige seo atá leagtha amach agam i mo fhreagra. Ach mar a tharlaíonn sé, tuigtear dom go mbeidh deis ag Fáilte Éireann an cuaille a hathrú laistigh den bhliain atá romhainn mar chuid den obair cothabhála atá idir lámha aige.

Tá mé ag tnúth leis agus táim cinnte go mbeidh níos mó turasóirí ag taisteal go dtí na hoileáin de bharr an scannáin "The Banshees of Inisherin". Nach raibh sé go hiontach a bheith ag éisteacht le cuid de na haisteoirí is fearr dár gcuid agus iad ag labhairt Gaeilge ar an chairpéad dearg an deireadh seachtaine seo caite? Mar a dúirt mé, beidh deis ag Fáilte Éireann é seo a dhéanamh laistigh den bhliain.

We, as the people of Ireland and citizens of this world, have a duty to protect those most at risk and to help the most vulnerable. How much more vulnerable can one be than when living in a war-torn country or living in hunger or drought, or living in a country where one's most basic human rights are at risk? Nobody wants to flee their home. People come here seeking peace and shelter. We must be compassionate, show empathy and offer these vulnerable people hope. To provide a safe haven is our duty. The tourism sect…

I thank the Senators for their engagement on the Bill last week. Is Bille tábhachtach é an Bille um Fhorais Chultúir Náisiúnta (An Ceoláras Náisiúnta) (Leasú) 2022. It represents a crucial step forward in the journey of the National Symphony Orchestra, the choirs and the National Concert Hall. It is a critical part of the National Concert Hall's ambitious vision for the development of symphonic music, with the restored symphony orchestra taking its place in a 21st century concert hall. The legislation will also hel…

The war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants, continues to put real pressure on the Government's ability to offer humanitarian accommodation and has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is availing of the wide range of offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are…

I have regular interaction with my colleagues in the Government on this issue and have communicated the industry's concerns about the long-term effect this issue could potentially have on our tourism sector, especially, as the Deputy said, with the tourism season really kicking off in March. I meet the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, every week and have discussed the impact of the humanitarian response on tourism with him and other Cabinet colleagues. The Government has approved the construction of rapid-build homes, wi…

To clarify, there will be 700 rapid-build homes. There will be up to 6,000 beds available in the coming months through the combination of rapid-build homes, the work on vacant homes that is being led by local authorities and the refurbishment work led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am in regular engagement with the tourism sector and am fully cognisant of its concerns. I will meet it again through the tourism and hospitality forum with the Minister, Deputy Coveney. We are also concer…

I thank the Deputy for raising the film industry in the week that is in it. This is an opportunity to congratulate Irish people on their Oscar nominations. The annual global spotlight on the Oscars is now shining on Ireland's culture, our beautiful scenery and, most particularly, our creative talent. The House will join me in congratulating the casts and crews of "An Cailín Ciúin" and "The Banshees of Inisherin", including Colm Bairéad and the team, Kerry Condon, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Barry Keoghan and Ma…

I am just stating a fact that employment law is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as are the mechanisms for dealing with disputes. Regarding the protection of workers, significant changes were made in 2019 to section 481 and how it operated. There is an increased emphasis on upskilling and life-long learning as well as much greater scrutiny. I hope that these changes will ensure that any alleged malpractice prior to 2019 is not repeated in today's audiovisual ind…

I only have a minute to respond, but I am happy to engage with the Deputy afterwards if he wishes to bring further issues to my attention. In the application process for the certification under section 481, a producer company and a qualifying company, as defined by the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, are required to sign an undertaking in respect of quality employment and must, as a condition of certification, provide details of any Workplace Relations Commission decisions in relation to a qualifying company, the pro…

The latest research by Fáilte Ireland shows that while recruitment is still a significant challenge for tourism businesses, the situation is improving and employers are making positive strides. The number of vacancies across the industry has fallen, from 40,000 at the start of 2022 to 22,000 today. Overall, positions have become less difficult to fill while staff retention has become less difficult too. For employees, hourly rates of pay have improved, compensation for working unsocial hours has become more common …

The Minister, Deputy Coveney, and I co-chair the hospitality and tourism forum. We are convening a meeting next week with all the stakeholders. I suspect the 9% VAT rate will be one of the issues that arises in that meeting. I have made it clear that I am in favour of the extension of the lower rate of VAT for the tourism and hospitality sector. The decision ultimately lies with the Minister for Finance, but I have made clear my position on it. I am acutely conscious of the challenges the sector is facing, includin…

The Deputy referred to Duncannon Fort. In December 2022, the Department of Rural and Community Development announced significant funding for Duncannon Fort under the town and village renewal scheme. That is in recognition of the amazing attraction it is. I am acutely aware that the tourism industry supports 250,000 jobs and the vast majority of those are in the regions, outside the capital city. I grew up outside the capital. It is a vital industry in my remit and I am acutely aware of the need to help our towns an…