NIFTC to run Irish Language Broadcasting Fund

Secretary of State, Paul Murphy has announced that the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund is to be administered by the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission (NIFTC).

The news comes after the Government announced a £12 million fund aimed at supporting Irish language film and television production in Northern Ireland in April.

The initiative will see the establishment of a the fund over three years aimed at delivering at least 90 hours of Irish language broadcasting per year, to an audience of 25,000 people by 2007/08.

It will also enable at least 15 people to be trained each year in production and broadcasting skills.

Mr Murphy said: "In April I announced that £12 million was being made available over a three-year period to provide support to Irish language film and television production. Significant progress has since been made in resolving some of the very complex issues about the administration of the Fund and I am now pleased to announce that it will be administered by the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission."

The Secretary of State explained that the Fund stemmed from the Government's commitments in the Good Friday Agreement and in the Joint Declaration made by the British and Irish Governments. He added: "I am confident that the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission has the necessary expertise, professionalism and skills to manage such a fund and I am therefore delighted that they have accepted this challenge."

Mr Murphy also announced the beginning of a public consultation exercise being conducted by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure which includes an equality impact assessment and which will end on October 01.

(MB)