Irish film and TV sector expenditure rises 13%

Total expenditure in the Irish film and TV production sector rose by 13 per cent to €210 million (£165 million) in 2000, while…

Total expenditure in the Irish film and TV production sector rose by 13 per cent to €210 million (£165 million) in 2000, while employment grew by 12 per cent to 1,792 jobs, according to the latest statistics from IBEC's audiovisual federation.

Expenditure in the Republic, the key to generating domestic employment and income, was €129 million, up from €114 million in 1999, while indirect employment resulting from spending on goods and services by the industry and its employees totalled 2,167, a 10 per cent rise on 1999.

There was a net gain for the Exchequer of €16 million, up from €8 million five years ago, according to the federation.

But the federation expressed concern over the industry's ongoing competitiveness and called for changes to the tax relief scheme for film production as a partial solution.

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"The current incentives on offer in Ireland for TV and film production are significantly less attractive relative to a large number of other EU member-states," said Mr Tommy McCabe, the federation's director.

Federation chairman Mr John Cummins called for the establishment of a co-production treaty with Britain to cover film, television production and animation which he said would benefit the sectors involved.

He also expressed concern about the proposed cutbacks in RT╔ and said the federation supported the national broadcaster's licence fee application.

The advent of digital TV would also provide challenges, he said.