The European Commission has authorised a British government grant of £12 million (€17.7 million) to the Northern Irish Language Broadcast Fund to support the production of films and television programmes in Irish.
Competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said the subsidy was compatible with EU state aid rules because the fund will promote culture. "The fund fosters broadcasts for Irish language speakers," she said, "and I am happy to approve state aid which promotes cultural and regional identity."
Establishing the fund fulfils a commitment in the Belfast Agreement to "seek more effective ways to encourage and provide financial support for Irish language film and television production in Northern Ireland".
The Joint Declaration in April 2003 stated that the British government would establish an Irish language film and television production fund. The fund's objective is to promote the Irish language in the North through the production and broadcasting of television programmes and films.
To qualify for funding, a minimum of 60 per cent of the spoken word within a production must be in Irish and every production must be subtitled in English. The production must be of artistic quality and should reach a substantial audience in the North.
Independent production companies will be eligible for assistance from the fund but grants can also be made to broadcasters in exceptional cases.