The Department for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media has outlined further details of the distribution of the €1,271,989,000 in funding allocated to the Department in Budget 2025, which is said to see increases across all areas with a total 6% rise across the Department.
Minister Martin confirmed that the funding for 2025 is increasing for all areas under the Department while supports for agencies in sectors continue to grow. This follows record funding in recent years, which has seen the overall budget for the Department since 2019 increasing by 58%. The Department has stated that Budget 2025 will enable backing for new strategies and schemes in Tourism and Media, while additional funds will help further grow the Arts, the Gaeltacht and Sport.
Speaking about Budget 2025, Minister Catherine Martin said: “My Department oversees sectors that have a tremendous impact across the whole of society. These areas have seen massive growth in recent years, and with that growth have come massive challenges. Throughout my term as Minister, it has been a priority of mine to ensure that these challenges can be responded to, by building resilience, embedding sustainability, and ensuring that we have capacity across the board.”
Funding Increases
Key developments for the screen industry includes record funding for the Arts Council of €140 million, which will enable further investment in programmes for young people and children, as well as additional support for artist, venues, and production companies.
The Basic Income for the Arts Scheme, which was launched in 2022, has been extended with additional funding of €35 million being allocated for 2025. The scheme is funded beyond the end of the three-year pilot in August, and aims to provide flexibility for successor support.
“Budget 2025 maintains and increases funding across a wide range of key initiatives. For artists and arts workers, we have retained the world-leading Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme with a further allocation of €35 million for 2025,” added Minister Martin.
“While a Government decision will be required on the future of the scheme when this three-year pilot comes to an end in 2025, I have made my own views on the importance of retaining and expanding the scheme very clear. The Arts Council will receive record funding again in 2025, increased now to €140 million, and support continues for Culture Ireland and Creative Ireland.”
Screen Ireland has also received a notable rise in its allocation, with over €40.85 million being provided for talent development and retention across the sector, following Ireland’s successes on the global stage over the last year.
Commenting on Budget 2025, Screen Ireland CEO Désirée Finnegan said: “We would like to thank Minister Catherine Martin for her steadfast support of the Irish screen industry and Minister Jack Chambers for the new sectoral supports announced today.”
In 2023, the agency oversaw 43 separate funding schemes across - development, production, sustainability, marketing, distribution and audience development. The agency has specified that nurturing new talent is a key focus, with 38% of 2023 projects funded by Screen Ireland, led by first or second-time filmmakers.
2023 also saw a total of more than 5,000 skills development placements across Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academy network activity, Section 481 skills development, course attendees and other initiatives, including mentorships and shadow directing.
Following on from the news on Wednesday of the 8% Uplift under Section 481, Minister Martin said: “The new 8% uplift under Section 481 for feature film productions with budgets of up to €20 million is very good news for the industry and sends out a strong international message that aligns with and bolsters our infrastructure, facilities, experienced crews, creative talent and beautiful scenery.”
“The separate new tax credit for unscripted productions, which is subject to European Commission approval is also welcomed. The credit will be available at a rate of 20% on qualifying expenditure of up to €15 million and projects will be required to pass a cultural test,” the Minister added. “Ireland’s visual effects (VFX) sector is highly regarded internationally. I welcome Minister Chambers’ signal that his Department will examine opportunities for incentives for its growth over the coming year.”
Speaking about the Departments commitments to progressively supporting the public service broadcasters, Minister Martin said: “TG4’s total funding has been increased to €60 million, a total increase of almost €23 million or 61% since I began my term in 2020. This will consolidate the provision of high quality Irish language content, including thecontinued development of Irish language children’s programming and film and drama production. It is also central to the successful delivery of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.”
“The Department will work with TG4 and Coimisiún na Meán to further realise its strategic plan over the coming years. As was previously announced, combined public funding of €225 million will be provided to RTÉ to enable it to commence the roll-out of its new strategy and continue to serve Irish audiences with impartial news and current affairs, and high quality content across all genres,” Minister Martin added.
Industry reaction
Given the general increases across the board in Budget 2025, it comes as no surprise that increases to the screen industry has been widely welcomed by key stakeholders.
Ardmore Studios & Troy Studios Managing Director, Elaine Geraghty welcomed the news, stating: “The Budget 2025 announcement of a new 8% uplift for feature film productions under the section 481 film tax credit will strengthen and grow Ireland’s indigenous independent production sector and allow Ireland to continue to compete for this valuable segment of the screen production industry. This new initiative builds upon the changes in Budget 2024, which were aimed at large scale productions and will continue to cement the industry and country’s reputation as a highly desired international location for film and television production.
“In addition, the announcement of the new tax credit for Unscripted Production is a timely and important measure. The opportunities that exist on our doorstep in relation to the emerging market of unscripted content production cannot be understated. Ardmore has been home for a number of unscripted productions over the last two years. We have seen this segment of the production market grow and Ireland is now gaining a global reputation as a competitive location base for this growing production market. The proposed fiscal measures announced in this budget will assist greatly in further developing this opportunity.”
“Budgets of €15-20 million and under, are a core component of our studio business and we are delighted to see the Government reacting to competing factors making other jurisdictions potentially more attractive. We welcome these two announcements which will directly influence the creation of thousands of highly skilled jobs across all aspects of production and are to be warmly welcomed.”
Commenting on the 8% increase to Section 481 for feature film projects, Screen Producers Ireland CEO Susan Kirby noted: "The 8% increase on all Section 481 feature film projects under €20M is a crucial step in ensuring the Irish industry remains competitive internationally. While SPI sought an increase for all Section 481 projects under €20M, this move for feature films will alleviate concerns among feature film producers about the impact of the new 40% Independent Features Tax Credit in the UK for independent features of £15m or less.
“This budget level accounts for the vast majority of indigenous productions shot in Ireland annually. The industry can now maintain international competitiveness and attract both domestic and co-productions at this budget level. I want to thank the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Screen Ireland for their support of this measure.”