Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
568. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on foreign production companies having an obligation to hire production and acting staff here given the financial exemptions they receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14697/21]
View answerSection 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 and the Film Regulations 2019 made by the Revenue Commissioners on 27 March 2019, with the consent of the Ministers for Finance and Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media provide for corporation tax relief for the production of films by film production companies. The relief is available to Irish based film production companies provided certain conditions, as laid out in statute and regulations, and as specified in the Certificate issued by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media are met.
Tax relief under Section 481 relief is only available for the portion or element of the production of a film carried out in Ireland.
In 2019 Ireland became one of the first countries in Europe to have skills development linked to the qualification for the available film and TV tax credit. Screen Skills Ireland is the skills development unit within Screen Ireland, and it provides continuing training and career development opportunities for professionals working in the screen sectors.
