The Irish government set out its 2024 budget today, which included a surprise shift to the country’s tax incentive structure.
Irish Film and TV productions are now able to claim the country’s 32% tax break on eligible expenditure up to €125m, raised from €70m.
Screen Ireland, the national agency for the Irish screen industry, welcomed the increase and set out plans to support new initiatives and facilitate production across the country. The plans include the launch of a new Creative Clusters Programme for 2024 targeting emerging screen talent and communities across the country, with a pilot scheme proposed for County Cork.
“In a landscape where global film and TV production budgets have reached an all-time high, the increase in the eligible expenditure cap will allow Ireland to attract a wider range of high-quality, larger scale production,” said Susan Bergin, Chair of the Board of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.
“It will also create opportunities in the growing area of VFX and post-production, whilst maintaining our well-regarded global reputation. This in turn will allow Ireland to build a depth of production crew, creating jobs and skills development opportunities throughout the creative screen industry, as well as driving increased cultural and economic opportunities for screen tourism.”
Screen Ireland has said 47% of the local Irish feature film and TV drama in its 2023 slate was produced or filmed on location in regional areas, including Donegal (Obituary Season 1), Limerick (Double Blind), Clare (Smother Season 3), Galway and Mayo (That They May Face the Rising Sun). Other productions shot in Ireland include Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, Apple TV’s Bad Sisters, and Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin.
“Our ambition for the future growth of the industry is to ensure local and international film, television, animation, documentary, and VFX is produced in counties throughout Ireland, bringing the cultural and economic benefits of the industry to the entire country,” Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, added.
“The national development of the industry, beyond the existing production hubs, is a critical priority for Screen Ireland to ensure the sustainability of the industry into the future.”
Sound Stages In Ireland
Troy Studios
4 sound stages totaling 100,000 sq. ft. & an overall footprint of 350,000 sq. ft. under one roof with a 5 acre backlot.
Troy Studios is Ireland’s largest and newest production facility. Established in 2017, the facility is situated in the culturally-rich city of Limerick, within an hour’s drive to lush settings—the Atlantic coastline, mountains, forests, waterfalls, lakes and picturesque villages—while the city itself provides easy access to Georgian streets, medieval castles, modern architecture, sports stadiums and riverfront views over the longest river in Ireland.
Recent productions filmed at Troy Studios include Apple TV’s Foundation and Netflix’s Nightflyers.
Ashford Studios
4 Stages – More than 60,000 sq feet outside of Dublin
The Studios are set in Irelands beautiful ‘Garden of Ireland’, Wicklow County. Located just 40 minutes from Dublin.
Ardmore Studios
Ardmore Studios has 5 sound stages totaling more than 40,000 square feet with 2 large backlots.
Established in 1958, Ardmore Studios is Ireland’s most historic film and television studio—and one of its most prolific. It’s storied past includes its time as The National Film Studios of Ireland and later as MTM-Ardmore Studios, when purchased by a consortium led by legendary actress and producer Mary Tyler Moore. National and international productions have included such iconic films as Braveheart, My Left Foot, King Arthur and recent television hits, Camelot, The Tudors, Penny Dreadful and The Green Night.
The media campus is situated 12 miles south of Dublin, on 18 acres, in seaside town of Bray, in the County of Wicklow—touted as “The Garden of Ireland” for its dramatic beauty—and offers seven international-standard sound stages, including Ireland’s only under-water filming facility, full production and post-production facilities on site, as well as two backlots.
Article originated in: Deadline
