End of Section 481 'puts film jobs at risk'

SIPTU has called for an urgent review of the Government decision to end the tax relief scheme for the film industry known as Section 481.

Up to 4,000 jobs in the film industry and another 3,000 in transport, catering and tourism are at risk, according to SIPTU Branch Secretaries, Jane Boushell and Jimmy Jordan who addressed a meeting of the Union's Film Entertainment & Leisure Branch and the Irish Actors' Equity Group.

Mr Jordan said: "Ending this scheme would place Ireland at a competitive disadvantage in comparison to our European neighbours.

"The present tax incentive has attracted up to €140m of inward foreign direct investment annually

and the Minister for Finance's desire to recoup approximately €25m by ending this scheme seems baffling."

Films such as Veronica Guerin and Intermission, both produced with the assistance of the Section 481 tax incentive, played a key role in driving Irish audiences to cinemas around the country, grossing €6.5m between them to date.

There are 7,000 people employed throughout Ireland in the cinema screen business.