Budget 2019 saw an additional funding of €36m in the arts sector, an increase of 12% on 2018 figures. It brings the total culture, language and heritage budget to €339m in 2019.
That additional funding includes an increase of €2 million awarded to Screen Ireland. The department has also allocated €3.84 million to the Screen Ireland administration and training budget bringing the agency’s 2019 funding to €20,042 000.
Section 481, the Irish tax incentive for the film and television industry is to be extended until 2024.
Also included in the budget announcement by Irish Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, TD. was that Section 481, the Irish tax incentive for the film and television industry is to be extended until 2024, plus additional support for projects filmed across the regions of Ireland for the next four years.
Speaking about the increase in funding, Screen Ireland Chair Dr. Annie Doona said:
“Earlier this year, Minister Madigan announced the Audiovisual Action Plan, an industry-wide, long-term vision, to support the Government’s ambition to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the creative screen industries. Therefore, we very much welcome this budget increase, as one of the first concrete steps in ensuring that we can implement this vision. This additional funding will ensure that Screen Ireland is in a strong position to support new and established Irish creative talent across film, television and animation production.
“We also welcome the extension of Section 481, the Irish tax incentive for the film and television industries until December 2024. 2018 has been an incredibly successful year to date, with Ireland welcoming a large number of major international productions to our shores, Consistent government support for Section 481 is imperative to enable Screen Ireland to promote Ireland as an attractive international destination for film and TV production.
“The regional uplift to Section 481 of 5% will also provide an additional incentive to increase Irish and international production activity from Cork to Limerick, from Galway to Donegal, developing jobs and investment across the regions. We also look forward to working with the Government to ensure that the process of implementing section 481 continues to be improved upon.”
