§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What funding will be available to the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission for 2004–05; and whether that funding, or part of it, will be targeted at specific sectors by central government. [HL730]
§ Baroness AmosThe amount of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's (DCAL) funding allocation to the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission (NIFTC) for 2004–05 has yet to he determined and will be decided in the light of the business plan provided by the NIFTC. The DCAL allocation for 2003–04 is £562,000 and comprises contributions towards NIFTC operating costs, the NIFTC education programme and grants to NIFTC's clients in the cultural sector.
In June 2003 the NIFTC was offered a package of financial support of £9.905 million by Invest Northern Ireland for the three years 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006. It is anticipated that the take-up of Invest NI support by the NIFTC for the period 2004–05 will be £3.325 million.
A main objective of the funding is to assist the production of feature films, television drama and other high value productions in Northern Ireland. Other elements aim to provide Northern Ireland-based independent production companies with financial support to assist growth and attract a greater number and value of network television commissions to the Province.
The NIFTC is currently in negotiation with the UK Film Council regarding an allocation for 2004–05; and is expected to receive from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in 2004–05 an estimated £824,000 of National Lottery proceeds for distribution to film and moving image projects.