The already booming industry will experience exponential growth and become one of Ireland’s strongest.
Following an assessment by international consultants which determined that Ireland could double its film, television and animation industry employment within five years, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan T.D. today launched an all-new Audiovisual Action Plan to the tune of €200 million.
Industry-wide and with a long-term focus, this new initiative is set to support the Government’s ambition to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of film, TV drama and animation – sectors where in recent years Ireland has seen tremendous growth and received international recognition.
Ireland’s audiovisual and animation industry is currently worth more than €1 billion to the Irish economy, and this new plan, set out under the Creative Ireland Programme, has the potential to not only increase the number of full-time industry employees to an estimated 24,000, but to grow its gross value to nearly €1.4 billion.
From increased capital funding for the film sector and an extension of tax relief to Ireland’s games division to increased marketing measures, business skills development and specific funding for areas like new Irish TV drama, the report’s key recommendations will be overseen by a standing high-level Steering Group, who will ensure delivery of these actions by the relevant departments and their agencies.
With an already booming industry exemplified by the recent success of films like Room, The Lobster and Cartoon Saloon’s The Breadwinner, the plan comes at an opportune time for Ireland’s continued creative development.
The Economic Assessment of the Audiovisual Industry in Ireland was carried out by Olsberg SPI with Nordicity on behalf of the Departments of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
