Government plans €200m boost for the film industry

THE Government plans to spend €200m in a bid to ramp up film, TV and animation productions in Ireland over the next decade.

The sum is set to be included in more than €1bn to be spent on culture and heritage as part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 plan.

The Creative Ireland programme, which is being spearheaded by Culture Minister Josepha Madigan, commits the Government to supporting the development of the Irish film, television and animation sectors.

The investment will see tax incentives for film production continued and there will also be capital funding for the Irish Film Board.

“Funding will be used to encourage both high-end productions and smaller projects. We’re also keen to see the production of more new Irish TV drama,” a source said.

Disney’s choice of Irish locations for two films in the massive ‘Star Wars’ franchise is the most high-profile example of Hollywood blockbusters being attracted to Ireland in recent years.

Last week it emerged Steven Spielberg has been spending time here to begin work on his latest project, horror movie ‘The Turning’, which is being shot in Co Wicklow.

The full breakdown of the detail of the Government’s spending plans in the culture sector will be revealed in the coming weeks. A launch was due to take place last week but was postponed due to the weather.