Section 481 Tax Relief is matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. Section 481 is a critical support for the Irish audiovisual industry. The present scheme will expire at the end of 2020 and the Department of Finance is reviewing Section 481 in advance of a decision on its extension beyond 2020.
The Pillar 4 of Creative Ireland Programme focuses on Ireland's potential to be a global leader in film production, TV drama, documentary, children's storytelling and animation. Central to this pillar is the production of an Audiovisual Action Plan which will aim to put in place a strategic and coherent approach to making Ireland a leader in this sector. The Departments of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Communications, Climate Action and Environment; and Business, Enterprise and Innovation and their agencies are key partners in this Action Plan.
The Audiovisual Action Plan is being produced out of a number of key inputs including:
a. The report by Olsberg SPI with Nordicity (OSN Report) on an economic analysis of the Irish audiovisual sector together with policy recommendations which was commissioned by the key partners described above.
b. The outcomes of the Media Production Workshop at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, hosted by my Department last year, which was attended by over 150 representatives of the film, broadcast and animation sectors.
c. The report on a Strategy for the Development of Skills for the Audiovisual industry in Ireland, which was commissioned jointly by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the Irish Film Board, prepared by consultants Crowe Horwath.
This Audiovisual Action Plan will set out an agenda to further develop the Irish Audiovisual Industry and in that context my Department will work with the Film Board and all sectors of the industry to address any barriers to continued success.
The Government’s capital investment plan Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 provides for funding of €200m to be invested in media production and audio visual industries through the Irish Film Board over the next 10 years, which will have a positive impact right across the country.
This will assist in realising the vision under Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland Programme to develop Ireland as a centre of excellence in media production. The proposed Action Plan for the Audiovisual Industry will set out in greater detail how it is proposed to develop the industry further. I intend to publish this Action Plan and economic report shortly.
