Film tax relief scheme nets Government €21m

The Government earned €21m from the Section 84 tax relief scheme for the film and television industry last year, according to a new report.

In its 2002 annual review, IBEC's Audiovisual Federation said that the scheme provided a 3:1 return on the Government's investment.

It said that €171m was spent on making feature film and TV shows last year and that almost €125m of this was spent on Irish goods and services

The Federation repeated its pre-budget appeal for renewal of Section 481 beyond 2004, on the basis that it provides a return for the Exchequer and it creates jobs.

An economic study recently commissioned by Screen producers Ireland said that the film industry here now employs 4,300 people directly and is indirectly responsible for a further 3,000 jobs through the influence of film on international tourists.