Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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478. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the work she is carrying out with respect to the business development of eSports here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45412/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government's role in the development of eSports and the wider audiovisual (AV) sector concerns a number of Departments including my own. The audiovisual sector including Film, TV, Animation, and Games contributes to the economy through exports, employment and cultural activity. The audiovisual sector has considerable scope for further growth over the next 5 years and beyond. Ireland has the creative and technical talent and the international credibility to grow and sustain a vibrant creative audiovisual sector.

The games industry, a key driver of eSports (competitive video gaming) employed 2,040 full time equivalents and generated €3.3m in exports in 2016. A variety of degree, diploma and certificate courses are available for the games sector across the country in institutions such as Ballyfermot College of Further Education, DIT, UL, Dundalk IT, Limerick IT, Tralee IT, Letterkenny IT and Pulse College. These courses include game design, 3D for games, composing for games and online game development. Indigenous developers have established a new representative body called ‘Imirt’ (www.imirt.ie) and www.developers.ie provides a platform for networking and information sharing.

The games industry is a small but growing industry and further development would encourage the growth of eSports activities here. I understand that , ‘Three Ireland’s EStars’ which took place in May of this year was the biggest ever eSports tournament held in Ireland demonstrating that there is a growing appetite for eSports in the country. An Audiovisual Sector Brief produced by my Department (to be made available in the coming months) notes that eSports is a growing market globally and is projected to be worth about $1.5 billion by 2020.

In terms of the supports available through my Department, Enterprise Ireland works with clients in the TV, Film, Animation, Games, AR/VR, Post Production & Visual Effects (VFX). The agency offers a range of supports that are tailored to the needs of the companies in these areas. Individual company financial support has been provided through innovation vouchers, strategic consultancy engagement, key manager employment, technical feasibility projects, market research, management development, business acceleration engagement, innovation vouchers, exhibition at trade fairs, strategic marketing review exercises, market access, eMarketing, R&D, Business Innovation, Expansion, etc. Based on forging a strong client relationship and with deep sectoral and market knowledge, Enterprise Ireland works in partnership with enterprises to help them start, scale, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund (€50k equity) has funded over 20 games companies since December 2010.

EI overseas office executives and teams provide in-market expertise and build networks responding to company needs. The EI overseas offices support inward buyer visits to Ireland, identifying new opportunities. Teams in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia provide a range of non-financial expertise to AV sector clients. Enterprise Ireland regularly hosts market knowledge events for example, ‘Focus on Animation & VFX – Opportunities in Asia.’

IDA Ireland partners with existing and potential clients to help them to establish or expand their operations in Ireland in a range of sectors including technology, media and content. There are a number of entities within IDA Ireland’s client base in the Audiovisual sector. IDA Ireland is conscious of eSports as a growth area of opportunity. IDA Ireland continues to monitor this new and evolving segment and will engage with its new and existing clients as appropriate.

Earlier this year my Department published our research priority areas for the period 2018 to 2023. ICT research remains a key priority for Irish research and priority areas have been broadened to reflect emerging areas of technology including Digital Platforms, Content and Applications, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. These underpin developments in the audiovisual and gaming industries. This year saw record budget allocation to my department which, amongst other priorities, will further boost innovation.

I also note that my colleague the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht published The Audiovisual Action Plan in June 2018 which outlines the Government’s strategy in relation to AV including the games industry. Recommendations set out in the plan include capital funding for the film sector, tax relief to Ireland’s games sector, marketing measures, business skills development and funding for areas like new Irish TV drama. While there are no specific actions in relation to business development of eSports activities, marketing and business development of the broader games industry is addressed including a recommendation to develop “Irish Games” branding at events which I understand that Screen Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and IDA Ireland are examining. Screen Ireland will review supports to visit markets in consultation with Enterprise Ireland.

My Department will continue to work with stakeholders to support the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Screen Ireland in the delivery of its Audiovisual Action Plan.