MAKING THE RIGHT MOVES

WITH BELFAST launching a campaign to become ‘ the Hollywood of Ireland’ and talk of potential new studios in Limerick and Galway, steps needed to be taken to keep Wicklow in the limelight.

Through his role with the Wicklow Think Tank, Councillor John Ryan said that they have been working to protect and boost the film industry in the county.

‘We identified things that were unique to Wicklow and film was one of them,’ he said. ‘But we know that the pressure is on and that, though we have it [a film industry] now, we might not always have it. We have been engaging with the main players in the industry to find out what we need to do to drive it forward.’

According to Cllr Ryan, the main thing that arose was the need for more financial support. In light of this, Wicklow County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to stop seeking development contributions from film studios seeking to expand or set up in the county.

‘We learned through speaking with people that the business is there. Studios want to extend as they didn’t have the stage space,’ explained John. ‘Joe at Ashford Studios had told us that he needed support, saying that he can’t fund huge studios which lie idle for some of the year while paying rates, levies and planning fees.’

‘The great thing was he submitted plans for huge development. It’s not often that you can see the correlation between making a move and seeing the benefit.’

Another move made to help to develop the film industry in Wicklow is the development of a skill programme at Wicklow County Campus, Clermont, aimed at meeting the training needs of the industry.

‘In conjunction with Carlow IT, we hope to start film courses in lighting, in staging and all aspects of the film industry so that we can train people to go straight to work in Ardmore and Ashford,’ explained Cllr Ryan.’

The extension to the Section 481 tax relief scheme (see panel) was also another step forward for the film industry in Ireland says Cllr Ryan.

‘Actors from abroad love being close to Dublin,’ he explained. ‘ The tax system is right. The talent is there and the scenery is unbelievable.’

‘It’s an ongoing process. We never stop and we

will talk to everyone. When film companies come to Ashford or Wicklow, the County Council will also meet them. We want to show them that we are open for business.’

The County Wicklow Economic Think Tank, which is comprised of business people from County Wicklow, was formed in 2013. The aim of the CWETT was to develop a practical Action Plan that would be used to drive economic activity and boost employment in County Wicklow. Objective four of the plan is to ‘capitalise on the immediate economic opportunity in the film industry’. Measures included in the plan involve developing a film industry cluster in Wicklow, establishing a film industry business development group and further developing film tourism in the county.