Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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66. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of companies availing of section 481 tax relief in the film industry; and the number of full-time jobs in the film industry here. [27638/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that prior to 2015, the Film Relief scheme, provided for by Section 481 Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997, operated by giving relief to individuals and companies investing in the film industry.  

With effect from 2015, the scheme provides direct support to film producer companies in the form of a tax credit.  The provisional number of claimants of the tax credit in 2015 is 1,102 with a cost to the Exchequer of €69.7 million. The figures for 2016 are not currently available.

The following numbers of companies were granted relief during 2015, 2016 and 2017:

- 2015: 32 companies in respect of 43 films

- 2016: 54 companies in respect of 74 films

- 2017: 15 companies in respect of 21 films (to end Quarter 1 2017)

Revenue analysis of applications made in respect of section 481 TCA 1997 indicate that 3,415 full-time equivalent jobs were created over 184 projects in 2015 and 2016. However, it should be noted that jobs created in the film industry are predominately of a short term nature.