Irish Language Broadcast Fund: Finance
(asked on 10th December 2024) - View Source
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have provided funds to support trainee schemes operated by the Irish Language Broadcast Fund; if so, what trainee schemes are being operated; and how many people have received training through those schemes.
The Irish Language Broadcast Fund was set up in 2004/5 with funding provided to Northern Ireland Screen from the UK Government via the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Since 2011/12, Northern Ireland Screen has received UK Government funding via the British Film Institute.
The Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund was set up in 2011/12 and also receives UK Government funding via the British Film Institute.
The table below sets out the amount of money allocated to both funds since they were established.
Year | ILBF (£000s) | USBF (£000s) | Total (£000s) |
2022/23 | 3,116 | 1,038 | 4,154 |
2021/22 | 3,930 | 1,893 | 5,823 |
2020/21 | 3,180 | 1,143 | 4,323 |
2019/20 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2018/19 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2017/18 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2016/17 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2015/16 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2014/15 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2013/14 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2012/13 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2011/12 | 3,000 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
2010/11 | 3,000 | N/A | 3,000 |
2009/10 | 3,000 | N/A | 3,000 |
2008/09 | 3,000 | N/A | 3,000 |
2007/08 | 3,000 | N/A | 3,000 |
2006/07 | 3,000 | N/A | 3,000 |
2005/06 | 3,000 | N/A | 3,000 |
2004/05 | 3,000 | N/A | 3,000 |
Total | 61,404 | 14,133 | 75,537 |
Figures for 2004/05 to 2010/11 have been provided by Northern Ireland Screen. Figures for 2011/12 onwards are set out in the British Film Institute’s annual reports and accounts.
As part of the allocations set out above, in May 2021 the Northern Ireland Office announced an extra £2 million in funding to mark the fulfillment of a UK Government commitment in the New Decade, New Approach agreement that was agreed in January 2020 and saw the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive. The extra funding was provided through DCMS and the British Film Institute and was split equally between both funds.
The 2023/24 and 2024/25 figures for Northern Ireland Screen’s funding for the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund will be published via the British Film Institute’s annual report and accounts. The British Film Institute’s 2023/24 annual report and accounts will be published in due course.
The Irish Language Broadcast Fund offers several training opportunities for Irish speakers working or aspiring to work in the independent production sector in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Screen is responsible for the allocation of funding to such schemes, and how they are operated.