Ireland's film sector at risk of losing ‘competitive edge’ without regional uplift incentive

The regional film development uplift was designed to incentivise the development of new talent pools outside the Dublin/Wicklow film hub

Liam Neeson on set in Limerick. Picture: Film in Limerick

Ireland’s booming film and TV industry is at risk of losing its “competitive edge” unless the regional uplift incentive is reinstated.

That’s according to a new report, which is urging the Government to “urgently” reinstate the regional film development uplift ahead of the budget, an incentive which was first announced in 2019.

The uplift, initially introduced at 5%, has now ended. Between 2019 and 2023, it was designed to incentivise the development of new talent pools outside the Dublin/Wicklow film hub.

The uplift was not renewed in Budget 2024 and led to “key challenges’ for the Mid-West in terms of attracting productions and providing employment opportunities across the region.

While a different 8% uplift and new unscripted tax credit is available for productions across Ireland, their objective is not to incentivise film productions outside the capital and Wicklow.

The report, carried out by international consultancy Olsberg SPI for Innovate Limerick/Film in Limerick, warns that the loss of the regional tax incentive has slowed momentum in regional hubs such as the Mid-West. Without renewed support, the report concludes the country is at risk of losing jobs, investment, and its competitive edge in the global screen sector.

Regional film manager at Film in Limerick, Paul C Ryan, said: “As the report makes clear, without a functioning and long-term regional uplift, the regions cannot compete on a level playing field with Dublin and Wicklow. Restoring it will ensure that every region can keep crews in consistent work and attract world-class productions.” 

According to statistics from Screen Ireland, a considerable proportion of film production takes place outside of Dublin and Wicklow. Approximately 47% of domestic Irish film and television drama was produced or filmed outside of these areas, including in Clare and Limerick.

In recent years, there has been a surge in new studio developments in the country, including Limerick’s Troy Studios, West Cork Film Studios in Skibbereen and Tara Studios in Wexford. The report also highlights the economic benefits of the industry, with more than 90 local businesses providing their services during the production of a feature filmed in the region.

With global competition intensifying, it concludes that reinstating the regional uplift is “a decisive step to keep Ireland at the forefront of international film and TV production”.

The report was commissioned by Innovate Limerick / Film in Limerick as part of ongoing work to assess and strengthen the Mid-West’s role in Ireland’s national screen industry, with support from Regional Skills Mid-West, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, and Local Enterprises Offices in the Mid-West region.