Film industry urges rethink on Section 481

Nearly 80% of film production work in Ireland will cease if the Government removes the Section 481 tax incentive by the end of 2004.

The claim was made by Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) who said that the knock-on effect of this would impact on the 1,000 students currently enrolled in film related studies.

Those most affected will include production designers, sound technicians and art directors as well as writers, directors, producers, actors and make up artists.

Many are likely to face an uncertain future of unemployment or emigration, the SPI added.

According to Andrew Lowe, Joint Head of the SPI Film Sub Committee, the industry is deeply concerned.

"Ireland's film industry has achieved much success over the last ten years through sustained partnership with the Government," Lowe said.

"We are now one of six preferred locations in the world for film production, due to a large extent to the positive influence of the Irish tax incentive scheme. Without a tax incentive, Ireland will no longer be considered for international film productions and Ireland's indigenous industry will suffer, which in turn will have a catastrophic impact on employment in the sector," he added.

Figures show that the Irish film industry contributes €107m annually to Irish Gross Domestic Product and attracts an average of €136m annually through foreign inward investment.

It is estimated that 4,300 people are directly employed in the industry.