THERE WAS good news for the Irish language TV sector as Secretary of State Brandon Lewis announced an extra £2 million in funding to Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language and Ulster Scots Broadcast Funds.
The funds provide support for the Irish language and Ulster Scots production sectors and a range of film, television and radio programming.
According to the Secretary of State, the £2m in support from the UK Government “will also enable the development of a range of new educational, interactive and digital content.”
Interesting, the press release says that the announcement “marks the fulfilment 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.”
One wonders if Westminster is playing politics here with an Irish Language Act back to the forefront of the political agenda.
It goes on to say that “the funding also reflects the UK Government’s steadfast commitment to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, which sets out the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance for linguistic diversity across Northern Ireland, including the Irish language and Ulster Scots.
“The £2 million in funding to Northern Ireland Screen was provided through the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the British Film Institute, and will be split equally between both funds.
I doubt they are his words but Brandon Lewis is quoted as saying: “The UK Government celebrates Northern Ireland’s rich tapestry of languages, identities and cultures, and believes that the United Kingdom’s strength lies in its diversity.”
The support is being provided on a one-off basis as a boost for both funds, reflecting their widened remit.
In accordance with the funding proposals, Northern Ireland Screen are distributing these monies in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years.
