The audio-visual sector in Ireland had a gross value added or EUR 1,049.9 million in 2016. This figure includes film, television and animation, commercials, video games and radio. That same year, there were 16,930 jobs in the whole of the audio-visual sector. On its own, the film, television and animation sector is worth EUR 692 million, including production and distribution/exploitation. The film, television and animation sector comprises 11,960 jobs by way of direct, indirect and induced employment across the economy. Direct employment within the sector is 7,070, while the direct employment figures on production is 4,480.[1]
Film and television productions in Ireland benefit greatly from a tax incentive for film under Section 481 of the Consolidation of Taxes: a 32% tax credit for film, television and animation. In 2016, the outlay from Government under Section 481 was estimated at EUR 91.9 million. It is estimated that every euro of Section 481 outlays returned EUR 1.02 in tax revenue to the Irish government. This result was arrived at before taking into account the tax revenues generated by screen tourism and other spillover effects, and therefore, should be viewed as a conservative estimate.[2]
In 2017, Irish films, television and animation spent over EUR 292 million in the economy. This direct impact figure represents an annual increase of 10% on 2016 spend and an increase of 192% since 2007. There has been constant growth in production activity throughout the industry since 2007, except for a dip in 2015, which represented the changeover to a new updated system of Section 481.[3]
Screen Ireland’s funding improved when an additional EUR 200 million in funds for Screen Ireland was announced over the subsequent ten years in the government’s first Audio-Visual Action Plan (2018). Screen Ireland offers support for screen writers, directors and production companies by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland supports the audio-visual sector in Ireland through programmes, such as Sound & Vision 4 for television and radio. This programme provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy.
[1] In 2016 the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Communications and the Department of Enterprise commissioned SPU/Olsberg to produce a report measuring the value of the audiovusual sector. The report was published in 2018 using 2016 baseline data.
[2] Olsberg SPU/Nordicity estimates based on data from RTE, BAI, CRAOL, Irish Times, Core Media, IFB, Imirt, Industry surveys, company accounts, ONS, Indecon and CSO.
[3] https://www.screenireland.ie/images/uploads/general/S481_Production_Spend_Trends.pdf
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