Vol. 520 No. 1
177 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Finance the number of productions that have benefited from the business expansion scheme section 481, relating to film investment relief, since its inception; and the approximate number of jobs that have been sustained as a result. [15274/00]
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act which provides for tax relief for investment in films. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of productions that have benefited from this scheme since its inception is 204. Statistics are not available from the Revenue Commissioners which would enable the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of jobs to be provided. The Deputy may, however, be interested to note that a report on the economic impact of film production in Ireland 1998 by IBEC indicated that the number of jobs created in 1998 by all audio-visual companies, whether or not they were approved for film relief was 22,258. As many of these jobs were not full-time in nature, IBEC estimated that the equivalent number of full-time jobs was in the region of 1,690.
178 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Finance if Internet film and entertainment qualifies for tax relief under existing BES scheme rules; and if he will consider assisting the development of this industry by providing additional tax incentives similar to those provided in the original BES scheme designation, having regard to the risks associated with the business and given its employment potential. [15275/00]
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the relief for investment in film production. Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act provides for relief for investment in the production of qualifying films which are defined as films produced on a commercial basis with a view to the realisation of profit and wholly or principally for exhibition to the public in cinemas or by way of television broadcasting. There are no proposals to extend the relief to films produced for distribution over the Internet at present. However, the position will be kept under review having regard to the technological changes in the film and entertainment sector.
