After all the pre-budget submissions, proposals and discussions in recent months, Minister Jack Chambers rose to his feet to announce the final details of Budget 2025.
Minister Chambers focussed his attention on the audio visual industry, while his ministerial colleague, Pascal Donhoe addressed the broader arts and culture sector.
Minister Chambers began his speech in relation to the audio visual industry by acknowledging the success of the sector, saying that "it is a source of great pride for Ireland that we have an international reputation as a centre of excellence for screen production."
The Minister then confirmed that the previously proposed tax credit for unscripted TV productions will now be formally introduced, "in order to main momentum and expand the breadth of the Irish industry."
This type of production was described by Screen Producers Ireland (SPI), which represents independent production companies across Ireland, as encompassing TV programmes like Room to Improve, Name that Tune, Dancing with the Stars, and Gogglebox. The industry term is broad, and also includes non-fiction productions, including documentaries and talk shows.
The relief will apply at a rate of 20% to qualifying expenditure of up to €15m, and similar to the other audio visual reliefs, projects will be required to pass the mandatory cultural test.
Minister @jackfchambers has announced a new 8% uplift under the section 481 film tax credit for smaller feature film projects subject to State aid approval #Budget2025 pic.twitter.com/wN4gLCmxys
— Department of Finance (@IRLDeptFinance) October 1, 2024
Minister Chambers then addressed the film industry and announced that "in response to the specific challenges faced by smaller feature film projects in bringing their stories to the screen, I am introducing the new 8% uplift" subject to State aid approval.
He confirmed that this relief would apply to productions with a maximum qualifying expenditure of €20 million, while also adding that this change will also require European Commission approval.
He added that further details of these two supports will be included in next week's Finance bill.
Minister Chambers also had a nod to the future, by announcing that he was conscious of the importance of the visual effects (VFX) industry within the wider audio visual offering here, so he has instructed his officials to monitor trends in the sector internationally over the coming year.
This research is being compiled with a view to providing options to introduce a sector specific measure as part of Budget 2026 if appropriate.
"These enhancements support the continued development of Ireland as a cultural powerhouse and a creative production partner on an international scale."
— Screen Ireland (@ScreenIreland) October 1, 2024
- Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
🔗 https://t.co/PwW3AI7OXn pic.twitter.com/g1jrHhzJjX
The response from the film industry was swift and broadly welcoming with coverage of the budget measures making headlines outside Ireland and extending to Deadline.com, a key source of entertainment news and analysis. The minister’s measures were outlined in positive terms for the industry and described as 'bolstering’ support for local film production.
Back closer to home, Susan Kirby, CEO of Screen Producers Ireland welcomed the budget measures, commenting that "The industry can now maintain international competitiveness and attract both domestic and co-productions at this budget level."
In relation to the roll out of a new tax credit for unscripted productions, she added that the "announcement today of a new unscripted fiscal incentive, subject to state aid rules, has the potential to be a game-changer for the Irish unscripted sector."
Ray Harman, the Chair of the board of Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland also welcomed the announcements today, saying that "the uplift in the tax incentive has significant potential to expand the depth and breadth of local industry filmmaking, continuing to build creative opportunities for local talent within the sector."
Minister Pascal Donohoe meanwhile delivered the announcements in relation to the Arts and Media sector, saying that "Ireland holds a unique position in the world, where are culture, ár dteanga and our artists are the beating heart of our society".
He then announced the allocation of almost €380 million to that sector and an additional €328 million in funding to media.
The NCFA are following budget decisions closely and are pleased to see some increases in funding for our sector. We are eager to hear more detail from our Minister @cathmartingreen.
— National Campaign for the Arts - Ireland (@Campaign4Arts) October 1, 2024
The funding to the arts and culture sector ensures the continuation of the Basic Income for Artists Scheme, and this has been acknowledged and welcomed.
The National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) welcomed the decision to continue to allocate the funding beyond the 3-year pilot which was due to end in August 2025, stating optimistically that "it will now run until the end of the calendar year, moving towards a longer term retention."
For the Arts Council though, there was some disappointment as it had actively lobbied for an increase of €24 million to its funding of €136 million last year.
While the council had advocated for a budget of €160 million, it was confirmed today it has been allocated €140 million.
Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council, accepted the announcement saying that "while the figure for 2025 is at the lower end of what we sought to meet unprecedented demand... we look forward to working with Government to develop a sustainable future for the arts in Ireland."
We acknowledge Minister @cathmartingreen's #Budget2025 announcement of €140m in funding and appreciate her continued support of the arts.
— The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon (@artscouncil_ie) October 1, 2024
Research shows further investment is required to address pressure points and we'll continue to work towards this.https://t.co/WXQJXfI33p pic.twitter.com/Uz06jSgiVK
She was also enthusiastic in her response to the continuation of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, saying "it has huge potential to make the arts a viable career for those with ambition and talent, whatever their social or demographic background."
Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, thanked Minister Catherine Martin and colleagues for continuing to recognise the value of the arts, both in today's announcement and by her achievement of delivering a record level in arts funding since taking office as Minister.
She added that "our research shows that further investment will be required to respond to significant pressure points in the arts sector and to deliver the best return on government investment to date."
There will be a briefing at Government buildings with the Minister and her team where more indepth details and information will be outlined.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts, Culture, Tourism and Media, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, has said the budget for the arts showed an abysmal absence of ambition in today's budget announcements from Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe.
He added that "If a Sinn Féin Finance Minister had been announcing the Budget today, we would have put at least three times as much additional expenditure into arts and culture than has happened today under Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Greens.'
