Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 173: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will support the extension of the remit of the Irish Film Board to include the video game industry; if she would support the extension of the section 481 film tax reliefs to the video game sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20856/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions is a matter for the Irish Film Board (IFB). The Irish Film Board is funded by my Department but it is independent of the Department in its operations.

My Department's primary operational role in supporting the film sector relates to the administration of elements of Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 that provides tax relief for investments in qualifying films. A qualifying film is a film for which the Revenue Commissioners have issued a certificate under Section 481. The types of film eligible for certification are feature film, television drama, creative documentary and animation. These types are eligible whether computer generated or otherwise, but as the Deputy is aware computer games are currently excluded.

An Audiovisual Content Production Industry Strategy Framework Group was established by my Department last year which will assist in providing a clear vision for the future of the industry and response to market changes. The whole area of development of the Irish audiovisual industry (including the video games sector) is being examined as an important part of the work programme of the Group.