Report on Economic Impact of the Irish Screen Sectors highlights need for extending section 481 to games and improving access to finance, markets and co-working spaces.

 

Imirt has welcomed the recommendations made in the Audiovisual Action Plan to develop the Irish games industry and further audiovisual sub-sectors.

The Audiovisual Action Plan was published on June 27th by Josepha Madigan, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, along with a report on the Economic Analysis of the Audiovisual Sector in the Republic of Ireland. The report covers all Irish audiovisual sectors – film, TV, animation, video games, commercial advertising and radio. It analyses the economic impact of these sectors along with identifying strategic issues and making recommendations in areas such as funding, skills development, regulatory reform and marketing.

Imirt has announced its support for the recommendations made in the report to extend section 481 (Tax Relief) to the games sector, to provide funding for an “Irish Games” stand at international games events, to develop a prototype fund for games and to attract a large games studio to Ireland.  Section 481 is Ireland’s fiscal incentive for film and TV production. Imirt board member Elaine Reynolds, who also runs mobile game studio Simteractive, said “In order to remain competitive, Ireland should extend section 481 to games. This could have a huge impact on international companies setting up studios in Ireland, which would create jobs, develop skills and bolster the future of the Irish games industry.”

The Audiovisual Action Plan states that a Steering Committee will be formed with the task of overseeing and implementing the plan. Imirt have offered to be a part of the committee to consult on the various issues and plans concerning the games sector such as the creation of a games prototype fund and opportunities for co-working spaces to alleviate the pressures of finding affordable business premises. Imirt board member Colm Larkin, who also runs Dublin-based game studio Gambrinous, said “I strongly back these recommendations and look forward to their implementation by government. In particular I believe setting up a games prototype fund will help create new game jobs and grow the number of games and IP created in Ireland that succeed in the global market.” Imirt chairperson Brenda Romero also strongly supports the creation of co-working spaces, stating that: “To have a co-working space where developers with different areas of expertise could work together would elevate skill levels, offer space for community events and provide a common destination for potential partners to meet with Irish game developers.”

Olsberg SPI was the creative industries strategy consultancy hired to configure the report on the economic analysis of Irelands audiovisual sector.

For the full text of the Olsberg SPI report “Economic Analysis of the Audiovisual Sector in the Republic of Ireland”, see this link: https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2018/06/economic-analysis-of-the-audiovisual-sector-in-the-republic-of-ireland.pdf.

For the full Audiovisual Action Plan report see: https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2018/06/audiovisual-action-plan.pdf