Session 2: Talent, Skills Development and Industry Growth
Chair: Sheila de Courcy
Panelists: Teresa McGrane, Deputy CEO; Gareth Lee, Head of Skills and Professional Development; Andrew Byrne, Head of Television; and Louise Ryan, Head of Marketing & Communications.
Gareth Lee, Head of Skills and Professional Development, began by giving an overview of the work that the Skills unit in Screen Ireland is currently doing. Things to watch out for in 2023 include the launch of the Crew and Services Database, as well as a new round of the successful Screen Mentoring scheme.
A brand new Skills Report is also to be published soon, highlighting skills gaps and strategic challenges. Gareth Lee also discussed the launch of Safe to Create by Minister Catherine Martin this Wednesday, October 5th, which will be accompanied by online self-led courses on bullying and harassment from Screen Ireland. He emphasised the necessity to make the industry the best it can be in order to attract people and retain them.
Another key focus point of the agency has been the development of national and international opportunities for those working in the Irish film industry. On a national level, Teresa McGrane, Deputy CEO, welcomed the recent announcement of the extension of Section 481 to 2028, but validated concerns that regional production would slow down with a lack of announcement regarding a regional uplift. As such, Screen Ireland will ringfence €3.5 million in 2023 to support regional activity and production outside of the Dublin and Wicklow areas.
"We all know that Section 481 is a cornerstone of the industry, and were delighted with the announcement of its extension."
- Teresa McGrane, Deputy CEO, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
The importance of supporting Irish language scripted content was also underlined by Andrew Byrne, Head of Television, who wanted to emphasise that the agency will keep collaborating on new funding to support Irish work, especially after the recent success film such as An Cailín Ciúin showed how much audiences all over the world would benefit from these stories.
Andrew also announced further investment in production companies via the Creative Futures Slate Scheme.
€2.5 million will be invested in companies and their slate with further details to follow shortly.
- Andrew Byrne, Head of Television, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
As for international activity, Teresa McGrane emphasised the importance of Screen Ireland’s office in Los Angeles for US activities, as well as the multiple co-production treaties that Ireland has signed over the years, with more international collaboration planned in the future. Within the agency, the launch of a new application system will also be a key point of interest in 2023.
The last point of discussion focused on action put in place to support industry growth. Louise Ryan underlined the work done in order to reach out to schools and universities and highlight career opportunities in the screen industries.
"We are working to connect with schools and universities to highlight careers in the industry to new talent in the next generation."
- Louise Ryan, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
Networking opportunities are being put in place in an effort to reach out to underrepresented communities, while skills training aims to bridge gaps in training and give funding opportunities to a more diverse range of people. Finally, Louise Ryan emphasised that the industry as a whole needed to tackle sustainability as one of its biggest challenges, which Screen Ireland has defined as a priority through its Sustainability Plan.
