PR-2023-Statistics-31-01-24

IFCO Press Release 31st Jan 2024 - 2023-Statistics

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IFCO Press Release 31st Jan 2024 - 2023-Statistics

PREASRÁITEAS Dé Céadaoin 31ú Eanáir 2024

 

 

 

Complaints-Proc-2024

IFCO Complaints Procedure 2024

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IFCO Complaints Procedure 2024

Nós Imeachta chun Gearáin a Dhéanamh

 

 

 

Complaints-Log-2023

IFCO Complaints Received Log 2023

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IFCO Complaints Received Log 2023

 

 

 

Stats-Info-2023

IFCO 2023 Statistics

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IFCO Statistics 2023

 

 

 

Preasráiteas Foilsíonn IFCO Ráiteas Straitéise nua 15/11/2023

Preasráiteas Foilsíonn IFCO Ráiteas Straitéise nua 15/11/2023

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Preasráiteas Foilsíonn IFCO Ráiteas Straitéise nua 15/11/2023

 

 

 

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IFCO Press Release - 15/11/2023

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IFCO Press Release Strategy Statement 15/11/2023

 

 

 

IFCO Strategy Statement 2023-2025

IFCO Strategy Statement 2023-2025

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IFCO Strategy Statement 2023-2025

 

 

 

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IFCO Press Release - 05/09/2023

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Irish Film Classification Office marks 100th anniversary with Culture Night classification workshops

 

 

 

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IFCO Press Release - 17/07/2023

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Minister McEntee launches cinema competition to mark 100th anniversary of film classification in Ireland (English)

Comórtas pictiúrlainne á sheoladh ag an tAire McEntee chun 100 bliain d'aicmiúchán scannán in Éirinn a chomóradh (Gaeilge)

 

 

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IFCO Competition 2023

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IFCO launches public competition

 

 

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IFCO Press Release - 10/07/2023

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IFCO launches public consultation on draft Strategy Statement (English)

Seolann Oifig Aicmithe Scannán na hÉireann comhairliúchán poiblí ar dhréacht Ráiteas Straitéise (Gaeilge)

 

 

IFCO Draft Strategy Statement 2023-2025

IFCO Draft Strategy Statement 2023-2025

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IFCO Draft Strategy Statement 2023-2025 (English)

Dréachtráiteas Straitéise IFCO 2023-2025 (Gaeilge)

 

 

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2022 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2022 Annual Report (English)

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2022 (Gaeilge)

 

 

IFCO Film Classification National Research among Parents and Children 2021

IFCO Film Classification National Research among Parents and Children 2021

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IFCO Film Classification National Research among Parents and Children 2021

 

 

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2021 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2021 Annual Report (English)

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2021 (Gaeilge)

 

 

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2020 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2020 Annual Report (English)

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2020 (Gaeilge)

 

 

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2019 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2019 Annual Report (English)

Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2019 (Gaeilge)

 

 

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2018 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2018 Annual Report (English)

2018 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

 Annual Report 2017 THUMBNAIL

2017 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2017 Annual Report (English)

2017 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

2016 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2016 Annual Report (English)

2016 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

2015 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2015 Annual Report (English)

2015 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

2014 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2014 Annual Report (English)

2014 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

BT Young Scientist Exhibition

Assistant Classifier David Power attended the Young Scientist Exhibition at the RDS where he met with Nicky Cooney and Anthony Ryan, Transition Year students from St. Joseph's College, Tipperary.

Nicky and Anthony were exhibiting their project "Safe Watch", a device which utilises facial recognition technology to help prevent children from viewing unsuitable content in their homes.

David Power: "Nicky and Anthony have done some really impressive work with "Safe Watch". There isn't a parent or guardian who doesn't worry about these issues so it is a great area to be working in. We look forward to monitoring their progress in the future."

 

 

Film Classification Survey - Parental Attitudes (Post-Primary), 2015

IFCO is pleased to publish the second part of our consultation with parents/guardians on their awareness of (and opinions on) the word undertaken by this Office. This work was carried out amongst parents/guardians of post-primary students and complements Parental Attitudes 2013 which surveyed the attitudes of parents of primary schoolchildren.

Overseen by Assistant Classifier David Power, the results of IFCO's Parental Attitudes Survey 2015 are available here.

For further information, please contact info@ifco.gov.ie

 

 

Schools Focus Groups

As part of IFCO's on-going commitment to establishing a more complete picture of changes in perception and emphases among our consumer base, a series of focus groups/presentations were made in Irish schools throughout 2014. Carried out by our team of Assistant Classifiers and designed by Classifiers David Power and Mark Brennan, these events focused on post-primary aged children and were invaluable in terms of receiving first-hand feedback from the children our classifications are designed to protect.

The response from the schools that took part has been overwhelmingly positive and the feedback from the pupils will feed into the concluding part of our Attitudes survey to be published in the coming months.

 

 

 

2013 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2013 Annual Report (English)

2013 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

Film Classification Survey - Parental Attitudes 2013

As stated in the IFCO Annual Report 2012, following the updating of our classification guidelines, it was felt it was an opportune time to consult with consumers to gauge their awareness of, and opinions on, the work undertaken by this Office.

Overseen by Assistant Classifiers David Power and Mark Brennan, the results of IFCO's Parental Attitudes Survey 2013 are available here.

For further information please contact info@ifco.gov.ie

 

 

2012 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2012 Annual Report (English)

2012 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

2011 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2011 Annual Report (English)

2011 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

2010 IFCO Annual Report Published

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Annual Report 2010 (English)

2010 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

Office of the Ombudsman

If you feel you have been unfairly treated; or you are not satisfied with our decision on your complaint; it is open to you to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. By law, the Office of the Ombudsman can examine complaints about everyday administrative activities as well as delays or inaction in dealings with us. The Office of the Ombudsman provides an impartial, independent and free complaints-handling service.

Contact details are as follows:

Office of the Ombudsman,
18 Lower Leeson St,
Dublin 2.
Tel: +353 1 6395674
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie
Website: www.ombudsman.gov.ie
 

 

Ombudsman for Children's Office

If you are a child or young person under 18 or an adult who knows a child who you feel has been unfairly treated, or you are not satisfied with our decision on your complaint; it is open to you to contact the Ombudsman for Children's Office. By law, the Ombudsman for Children's Office can investigate complaints about any of our administrative actions or procedures as well as delays or inaction in dealings with us. The Ombudsman for Children provides an impartial, independent and free complaints-handling service.

Contact details are as follows:

Ombudsman for Children's Office,
52-56 Great Strand St,
Dublin 1.
Free Phone: 1800 20 20 40
Email ococomplaint@oco.ie
Website: www.oco.ie
 

 

IFCO Publishes New Classification Guidelines

2nd August 2012

The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) has published an updated and extended version of its Classification Guidelines to its website. The newly published guidelines offer the public a greater insight into the work of the Office and cover both cinema and video (DVD, BluRay) releases.

Ger Connolly, Acting Director of Film Classification - "The IFCO website is a resource for the public to research the suitability of cinema releases or video works for themselves and their families. These new guidelines offer parents/guardians a detailed breakdown of the differences in content between the age categories and will provide the public in general a clearer sense of how classification decisions are made".

 

 

2009 IFCO Annual Report Published

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2009 Annual Report (English)

2009 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform Launches New IFCO Online DVD Consumer Advice Service for Parents

On 21st July, 2009, the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Dermot Ahern TD, visited IFCO's new offices in Smithfield, adjacent to the Light House Cinema, where he launched IFCO's new online DVD consumer advice service for parents.

The new service provides parents and the public with the same kind of welcome consumer information and advice for DVD releases that IFCO already provides online for films.

Minister Ahern said: "IFCO's new office environment, and its innovative Public Private Partnership with the Light House Cinema, perfectly reflects how the Irish Film Classification Office - 86 years in existence - has embraced change, openness and modernisation in recent years.

"This new service puts parents in the driving seat, providing them with valuable information via www.ifco.ie on the age-related classification of every new DVD that is released on the Irish Market."

IFCO Director, John Kelleher, added: "This new service also enables IFCO's commercial customers to transact their business online. It's an initiative that has made IFCO's service comparable or superior to similar organisations worldwide, and has been warmly welcomed by the industry".

Click here for the press release.

 

 

2008 IFCO Annual Report Published

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July 2008: Name Change at IFCO

With effect from today, 20th July 2008, the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 has amended some sections of the 1923 Censorship of Films Act and the 1989 Video Recordings Act as follows:

  • The Irish Films Censor's Office becomes the Irish Film Classification Office and the Official Film Censor will now be known as the Director of Film Classification.
  • The phrase "likely to cause harm to children" is introduced into the legislation for the first time.
  • Lower fees will be charged for classifying specialty interest DVDs. This initiative is similar to the highly successful "limited release initiative" for cinema films, which was introduced in 2004.
  • It will now be an offence to supply a DVD to a person who is under the IFCO-designated age rating.
  • Fines for certain offences are updated.

Welcoming the changes and IFCO's modernised remit as an open and transparent agency, the Minister said: "The role of the Film Censor has evolved to reflect changed times. In a mature society, I think most of us believe that adults should be free (subject to the law) to decide for themselves what they may see, and the primary role for IFCO should be what we call age-related classification".

The Director of Film Classification said: "Today, we don't censor, we classify. We don't decline to explain or justify our decisions. Rather, we welcome the fact that we can provide the public, and parents in particular, with age-related classification and consumer advice. We have gone from stop sign to sign post. This is a very special occasion for all of us here at Harcourt Terrace. For me, on both a professional and personal basis, it's a really special and symbolic day.

Among those attending were the former Film Censor, Sheamus Smith, Dr. Kevin Rockett of TCD, author of "Irish Film Censorship", Ciaran Carty (longtime campaigner for liberalising censorship laws), Terry Molloy from Warner, Barbara Murphy from Sony Pictures, Trish Long from Disney, Siobhan Farrell from Eclipse Pictures, Niamh McCaul and Seamus O'Toole from Paramount, Arthur McGuiness from Dublin Film Distributors, Paul Ward from the Ward Anderson Group, Irish Times film critic, Michael Dwyer and Ted Sheehy of Screen International.

 

 

2007 IFCO Annual Report Published

MRBI SURVEY FINDINGS PUBLISHED IN FILM CENSOR’S ANNUAL REPORT

The results of a national survey on attitudes to classification, carried out by MRBI for IFCO, (the Irish Film Censor’s Office), are included in the Film Censor’s Annual Report for 2007, which is published today (Thursday 29th May).

The survey sample consisted of 1,000 persons aged 15+ representative of the national population in terms of gender, age, social class and region.

Among the main findings of the survey, conducted via MRBI’s Phonebus,were:

  • 80% of respondents agreed with the Film Censor’s decision to ban the video game Manhunt 2 on the grounds that its level of ‘gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence was unacceptable’.
  • 85% would like to see IFCO’s age ratings on films downloaded over the internet (even though respondents were advised this is currently outside IFCO’s remit)
  • 72% said they would like to see IFCO’s age ratings displayed before films shown on Irish television channels such as RTE and TV3.
  • Asked which types of screen media they believe can have the most potentially negative effect on children, 44% of respondents said the internet, 32% video games, 17% television, 4% DVDs and 2% said cinema.
  • Asked which film content might be considered most potentially harmful for children, 63% said violence, 21% drugs, 11% sex and 4% said language.

In his Report to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, the Film Censor, John Kelleher, noted that visitors to the IFCO website (which provides parents with user friendly consumer advice) had increased by 45% on the previous year. He pointed out, however, that this increase should be seen in the context of a disappointing response to another question in the MRBI survey, which showed that only 12% of respondents said they were aware of the IFCO website.

Speaking today on publication of his report, Mr. Kelleher said: “Our research shows that those parents who do use our website - www.ifco.ie - appreciate the consumer advice it provides. It will therefore be our main priority now to significantly increase the level of public awareness, particularly among parents.”

In 2007, almost 9,000 cinema films and DVDs were certified by IFCO.

Click below for the full report:

2007 Annual Report (English)

2007 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

Manhunt 2 Video Game Prohibited

A prohibition order has been made by IFCO in relation to the video game Manhunt 2. The Order was made on 18th June 2007 under Sec 7 (1) (b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to ‘acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)’.

IFCO recognizes that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable  element within the overall context of the work. However, in the case of Manhunt 2, IFCO believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable.

 

 

2006 IFCO Annual Report Published

The Film Censor, John Kelleher, has today (30th May 2007) published his Annual Report for the year 2006.


Click here to see the Press Release.


Among the key developments highlighted in the Report:

  • More than 10,000 cinema films and DVD/videos were certified during the year.
  • There was a significant increase in the number of non-mainstream or ‘arthouse’ films submitted for certification.
  • The number of visitors to the IFCO website was up 16% on the previous year.
  • The results of the research IFCO commissioned Lansdowne Market Research to carry out into the attitudes of parents and adolescents to strong language in films. Click here for the main findings.
  • The results of the research IFCO commissioned Dr. Jim Barratt, international film and media consultant, to carry out into future classification options in the fast changing landscape of film and home entertainment. Click here for the main findings.
  • The launch by the Minister of Education and Science of the Pilot Review of the transition year module in moving image education at the IFI. Click here for the main findings.


Click below for the full report:

2006 Annual Report (English)

2006 Annual Report (Gaeilge)

 

 

2005 IFCO Annual Report Published

The Film Censor, John Kelleher, has published his Annual Report for the year 2005.

Among the key developments the Report highlights are:

  • A significant increase in the total number video/DVDs classified.
  • The publication of the findings of a major national survey entitled ‘Adolescents and Film: Attitudes to Film Classification’.
  • The launch of our ongoing National Public Awareness Campaign which was carried out in cinemas, schools and through national media, with an aim to encourage parental responsibility and promote awareness of IFCO’s certificates and guidelines.

Click below for the full report:

2005 Annual Report (English)

 

 

Film Censor Announces Public Awareness Campaign For Film Classifications

On Tuesday November 15th, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell, launched the Film Censor’s cinema and media campaign to inform the public about IFCO’s current film certificates, classification guidelines and website which provides information and consumer advice for parents.

The campaign, which is timed to coincide with the imminent nationwide release of several of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year, including Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, The Chronicles of Narnia, King Kong and The Producers, involves a number of initiatives:
1. One million wallet-sized booklets, entitled ‘Your Pocket Guide to Film Classification’, will be presented to the cinema-going public and will also be distributed with all copies of the RTE Guide. The Pocket Guide explains the IFCO certs in detail and includes typical examples for each classification.
2. The existing Film Censor certificate which is displayed in cinemas before each film will be replaced by a new animated film cert, which has been directed by Zachary Harpur and produced by the Oscar-nominated Irish company, Brown Bag Films (Give Up Yer Aul Sins). The new certificate specifically draws attention to the IFCO website.
3. Specially designed posters and stickers, which describe the IFCO certificates and highlight the website, will be displayed in all cinema foyers and at ticket desks.
4. An IFCO Assistant Censor, Ms. Dani McClafferty, has been appointed as cinema liaison officer and will be in day-to-day contact with cinema managers all over Ireland as well as the cinema-going public.
Commenting on the initiative, Film Censor Mr John Kelleher said: “The primary aim of the awareness campaign is to attract the public and parents in particular to visit our website in increasing numbers. This Office strongly encourages and promotes parental responsibility, recognising that it is parents who know their own children best. In that regard, a key function of the IFCO website is to facilitate parents by providing them with specific consumer advice about individual films as well as general information about our guidelines and classification policies”.

The Irish Film Censor’s Office, a statutory agency that has existed since 1923, is responsible for examining and certifying all films and video/DVDs distributed in Ireland. IFCO has experienced a radical modernising overhaul in recent years as it moves from its earlier ‘gatekeeper’ role to become an agency that classifies on an age-related basis, a consumer advice oriented organisation that aims to inform the public and parents, rather than to restrict information, and to encourage the intelligent enjoyment of film by the most avid cinema-going nation in Europe. Last year IFCO classified 610 cinema films (including trailers) and over 7,500 video/DVDs.

 

 

 

 

Appeal Board Reverses Film Censor's 'Boy Eats Girl' Decision

Abbey Films, the distributor of the Irish film ‘Boy Eats Girl’ has succeeded in its appeal against a decision of the Film Censor.

On 25th July, the Censorship of Films Appeal Board reversed the Film Censor’s decision to withhold a certificate to the Irish film ‘Boy Eats Girl’ unless a designated scene (depicting an ostensible suicide attempt) was cut. The Appeal Board’s decision was unanimous.

‘Boy Eats Girl’, produced by Element Films, will be released on the 23rd of September with a 15A certificate.

 

 

2004 IFCO Annual Report Published

The Film Censor, John Kelleher, has published his Annual Report for the year 2004.

Among the key developments the Report highlights are:

  • A significant increase in the total number of films and video/DVDs certified
  • An increase in the number of ‘art house’ films certified (low budget, foreign language, etc.)
  • The introduction of a ‘16’ cinema certificate
  • The launch of the IFCO website
  • The publication of the Lansdowne Market Research parents survey


Click below for the full report:

2004 Annual Report (English)

 

 

Film Censor Announces Changes to Cinema Film Certificates

Changes to Cinema Film Certificates

Two changes to the existing film certificate categories are announced today (December 9th, 2004) by the Film Censor, John Kelleher, which will take effect from 1st January 2005.

  • A new ‘16’ certificate will be introduced. Where films carry this certificate admission will be restricted to persons aged sixteen and over.
  • The existing ‘12PG’ and ‘15PG’ certificates will be re-designated ‘12A’ and ‘15A’, where the ‘A’ denotes adult.

These changes have been made following consultations with parents, educators, the public, film distributors and cinema managers. They also take account of findings of the nationwide survey of parents published last September, which was carried out for Irish Film Censor’s Office (IFCO) by Lansdowne Market Research. The results of a further national survey, this time of more than a thousand adolescents, will be published early in the New Year.

Video classifications remain the same.

The full cinema certification categories are now as follows:

  • GENERAL: Suitable for all ages.
  • PG: Suitable for all ages, but parental guidance advised.
  • 12A: Films in this category are, in the opinion of the Film Censor, suitable for those aged 12 and over only. However, children under that age will be admitted if accompanied by an adult.
  • 15A: Films in this category are, in the opinion of the Film Censor, suitable for those aged 15 and over only. However, children under that age will be admitted if accompanied by an adult.
  • 16: Admission is restricted to persons aged sixteen and over.
  • 18: Admission is restricted to persons aged eighteen and over.


Parents are strongly recommended to consult the IFCO website www.ifco.ie for general classification guidelines and consumer information on individual films.

 

 

Film Censor Publishes Survey of Adolescents


The findings of a major nationwide survey of adolescent attitudes to film classification was published this month (March 2005) by IFCO, the Irish Film Censor’s Office.

1,045 adolescents, aged between twelve and seventeen, were surveyed at twelve schools randomly selected to provide a representative national sample.

The survey was jointly carried out for IFCO by the School of Communications, DCU and the School of Business Studies and Humanities, IADT, Dun Laoghaire, under the supervision of Dr. Carol MacKeogh.

This is the second stage of a major research project into attitudes to film classification commissioned by the Film Censor. The first stage, the first ever national survey of parents, was carried out for IFCO by Lansdowne Market Research and was published in September 2004.

Click here for the survey results.

 

 

Findings of National Parents Survey Published

The results of the first ever national survey of parents on issues relating to their children’s viewing of films and video/DVDs were published on Friday 3rd September by IFCO and can shortly be seen on IFCO’s new website which was launched simultaneously.

The primary aim of the survey, which was carried out for IFCO by Lansdowne Market Research, was to identify the main areas of interest to parents in relation to film and video content and classification. Lansdowne surveyed over 250 parents of children attending 12 post-primary schools, randomly selected to provide a representative sample in terms of area, socio-economic, gender and religious composition.

Click here for the survey results.

In October, the second phase of IFCO’s research project, undertaken jointly by DCU and the IADT in Dun Laoghaire, under the supervision of Dr. Carol MacKeogh, will report on adolescents’ perspective on film classification.

 

 

IFCO Website Launched

IFCO’s new website went live on Friday 3rd September.

Speaking at the launch, which was attended by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Film Censor, John Kelleher, said the website had a dual purpose. It would give the public an idea of what IFCO does as well as provide parents with relevant information about individual films and video/DVDs.

“We strongly encourage and promote the exercise of parental responsibility”, Mr. Kelleher said, “and I am confident that the IFCO website will help to give parents the kind of information that will help to inform their decisions.

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