Section 481 film tax credit gets an 8pc uplift
The change was signalled in last year's Budget, and the official announcement was due to be made two weeks ago. It was postponed following US president Donald Trump's threat to put a 100pc tariff on movies produced outside America.
Mr Trump claimed Hollywood is dying a 'very fast death' due to other countries offering 'all kinds of incentives to draw our filmmakers away'. In a post on Truth Social, he added: 'WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!'
Government sources told the Irish Independent earlier this month that the official unveiling of the improvement to the Irish film tax credit was postponed as a result. It was decided that a launch just after Mr Trump's tariff threat would have sent the wrong signal to the US administration.
The improvements to the Section 481 scheme will be backdated, so that film-makers applying for the tax credit do not lose out as a result of the postponement.
Branded as 'Scéál', the scheme is an 8pc uplift to the existing 32pc tax incentive, bringing it to a total of 40pc. It will be available to feature films with a budget of less than €20m.
At least one of the key creative roles – director, screenwriter, composer, editor, cinematographer and production designer – must be taken by a native or resident of the European Economic Area.
In animated feature films, the key creative roles include art director, composer and production designer.
Another condition of the tax break is that the film must be intended for exhibition at a commercial cinema in Ireland for at least five days.
The ministers said the aim of the uplift is to encourage and support smaller-scale Irish cinema, providing opportunities for film creatives based in Ireland as they build their careers.
Mr Donohoe said: 'The Scéal uplift is a fantastic addition to our already globally recognised Section 481 film tax credit. The uplift will be of great benefit to our smaller indigenous productions, the type that portray Irish stories on screen and project them all over the world.'
The Government also intends to provide a tax break for unscripted productions, which include reality shows, chat shows and other light-entertainment programmes that are often filmed before a live studio audience. This means the likes of The Late Late Show on RTÉ could qualify.
The Department of Finance has notified the new relief to the European Commission, whose officials are now examining whether it complies with EU rules on state aid.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Irish Sun
Feared warlord's mob ‘behind Irish aid worker kidnap' as 8 & tot, 3, still missing and latest gang talks details emerge
In a statement, the Tanaiste said he asked Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste 'that everything is done to ensure the release of Gena and the other hostages' ASSOCIATES of notorious Haitian gang boss Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier are believed to be behind the kidnapping of Irish aid worker Gena Heraty and eight others from an orphanage, it has emerged. The warlord, a former police officer, controls the Viv Ansanm gang, a group formed in September 2023 as a coalition of gangs between the two main factions operating in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, G-9 and G-Pep. Advertisement 5 Gena Heraty was kidnapped in Haiti Credit: Social Media Collect 5 Haitian gang boss Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier's mob is believed to be behind the plot Credit:5 Simon Harris said he has been keeping in close contact with Haiti's Foreign Minister Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire The group, based in the Kenscoff area of the city, provides a platform for criminal groups to use violence to destabilise the Caribbean country and quash actions aimed at restoring state control. Viv Ansanm has launched coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure in Haiti, including prisons, government buildings, and the main airport in Port-au-Prince as part of a campaign that, among other things, forced the resignation of former Haitian prime minister Ariel Henry last year. Thousands of people have lost their lives in gang violence in the troubled country in recent years, which shares with the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Tanaiste Simon Harris said he has been keeping in close contact with Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste in a bid to secure Gena's and the others captives' release. Advertisement RTE News reported that contact has been made with the gang involved in the kidnapping, with phone calls between the mobsters and intermediaries on the ground in Haiti. However, a lack of functioning government in the country has made communication difficult. The kidnapped group, which included a three-year-old child, were snatched during a violent raid on the Sainte-Helene orphanage in Kenscoff on Sunday. Gena, originally from Westport in Co Mayo, who is in her mid-50s, oversees the facility, which is about 10km southeast of the capital Port-au-Prince. Advertisement She is one of a family of 11, most of whom are living in Mayo. They have expressed their gratitude for all the prayers and support but do not wish to speak to the media at this time, while negotiations are ongoing. 'VERY DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL TIME' In a statement, her sister Mary said the family had been assured by the Government and various voluntary organisations and charities that they are doing everything in their power to have her and the other captives released. Father John Kenny, the administrator of Westport parish, said Gena's family are 'very appreciative' of the support they have received since she was abducted from the orphanage. Advertisement He described it is 'very difficult and stressful time for everyone' He said: 'Well, we were shocked first of all to hear the news, and we kind of suspected it might be Gena because she has such a high profile in our community. FAMILY 'ON TENTERHOOKS' 'We do a lot of fundraising for her charity in her home parish, Cushlough and here in Westport, for the orphanage in Haiti. Everyone is expressing their concern and solidarity with the members of her family, who are very upset and naturally on tenterhooks.' He said he met her when she was home last autumn and visiting local schools. Advertisement Fr Kenny added: 'She met the young people there, the children who were fundraising for her cause. And you could see her beaming with energy and enthusiasm about the work she does, as opposed to looking for credit, just looking to help out the people in need in Haiti.' Communities around Westport and Ahagower have been holding prayer vigils for the safe return of Ms Heraty and those abducted along with her from an orphanage in Haiti. WHO IS WARLORD BEHIND KIDNAPPING? Photo byJIMMY 'Barbecue' Cherizier is considered the most powerful warlord in Haiti and is currently believed to be one of the country's most powerful political figures. In early March 2024, his gang staged the largest jailbreak in Haitian history and escalated attacks across the country, including an attempted siege of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Cherizier claimed responsibility for the attacks and stated that the goal was to capture key government institutions, overthrow the unelected acting prime minister Ariel Henry and become more powerful in Haiti, warning that 'if Ariel Henry doesn't step down and the international community continues to support him, they will lead us directly to a civil war which will end in genocide.' Henry announced resigned within weeks of Cherizier's threat. Haiti has lacked a fully functioning Government since then and the criminal gangs have continued to run riot. Gang violence and kidnappings are also common in other areas in and around Port-au-Prince, where the UN says armed groups control about 85 per cent of the city. In the first half of 2025, UN figures show that almost 350 people were kidnapped in Haiti. At least 3,141 people were also killed in the same period, the UN Human Rights Office said. NPH International, a charity that works with for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children in Latin America and the Caribbean, also called for the release of the hostages and said it was doing all it could can to help bring them home safely. Fr Kenny said supporters also had an opportunity to console Ms Heraty's family at a prayer service in Westport. He added: 'They were there in great solidarity and great numbers... cars were everywhere, and people were gathered and quietly prayed and met with the family afterwards. Advertisement 'The family are very appreciative of the support and very conscious that people are praying in support of them.' Fr Kenny said Gena is 'not one for the spotlight' but loves talking about her work and has always been greatly supported by the local community when raising funds for the orphanage. 'GREAT HUMAN BEING' He added: 'You could see her beaming with enthusiasm and energy around what she does, but like I said, never looking for the credit to herself but always drawing attention to herself. 'That's just the nature of the person she is. A wonderful, generous, caring and compassionate person - a great human being.' Advertisement Ms Heraty is a member of Viatores Christi, a lay missionary group which has its headquarters in Dublin. In a statement, they said she has dedicated her life 'to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFS's special needs programme'. 'PLANNED ACT' The organisation praised her 'commitment, compassion and steady presence', saying she has 'made a lasting difference to many families in the region'. 'We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care,' the statement added. Advertisement Attackers broke into the orphanage at about 3.30am (7.30am Irish time) 'without opening fire,' according to Kenscoff Mayor Massillon Jean, describing it as a 'planned act'. The attackers had broken through a wall to enter the property, before heading to the building where Ms Heraty was staying. DIPLOMATS' EFFORTS Diplomats stationed in Dublin; Washington DC and London are leading the efforts to secure the release of the hostages. Norma Lopez, a friend and colleague of Ms Heraty, said she is calling for her safe return, so she can continue 'her good work in Haiti'. Advertisement 'Specifically people with special needs, this is her focus because it is a big need in Haiti. 'Working with her she is always thinking, 'what else can we do?'' she said. 'MOST HORRENDOUS OF ORDEALS' Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris held talks with his Haitian counterpart about the abduction of Ms Heraty. In a statement, the Tanaiste said he asked Haiti's Foreign Minister Harvel Jean-Baptiste 'that everything is done to ensure the release of Gena and the other hostages'. Advertisement Mr Harris said Mr Jean-Baptiste had 'assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals'. 'We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive. 'My officials in the Department of Foreign of Affairs and Trade are in constant contact with the Heraty family. When we have further updates, we will provide them.' 5 Thousands of people have lost their lives in gang violence in the troubled country Credit: EPA/PATRICE NOEL Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
a few seconds ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin Horse Show: All you need to know, including TV channel and ticket prices
The Dublin Horse Show gets underway for 2025 tomorrow as the famous event again returns just in time for the end of summer. This year is a particularly special one with it being the 150th instalment of the show, with festivities kicking off all the way back in 1868. Fast forward a century and a half, and it is one of the biggest fixtures on the Irish Sporting calendar. Here is everything you need to know about the Dublin Horse Show When does it get underway and how long will it go on for? The 2025 Dublin Horse Show gets underway on Wednesday, 6 August. It runs through to Sunday, 10 August. Where does it take place? The 2025 Dublin Horse Show takes place at the RDS in Dublin 4. The route is well serviced by busses and the DART. What show jumping is there? There is too much jumping to mention in just a few sentences. However, what is worth mentioning is that the action kicks off each day at 8.30 am and goes all the way until 8 pm that evening. In total, there are four viewing areas and you can check out the full programme of events here. Is there TV coverage? There is limited TV coverage of the event with RTE Two showing parts of the festival on Friday and Saturday while RTE One will broadcast it on Sunday. What else can I expect? There is plenty more on offer than just horses at the festival. There will be numerous food and drink options as well as a family friendly area and different forms of entertainment. To celebrate 150 years, festival organisers have launched an exhibition too, detailing the history of the event. How can I attend and how much are tickets? Ticketmaster will sell tickets for the event here. A general admission season ticket costs €85.10 for adults and a concession ticket is €68.60. Daily tickets are also available with general admission for adults costing €30.95 and concession tickets costing €26.45. Family tickets are also available.
Irish Times
19 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Bill Clinton and ex-federal officials subpoenaed by Republicans over Epstein sex-trafficking operation
US House Republicans have subpoenaed the justice department, former president Bill Clinton and nearly a dozen other former federal officials for information about the late financier Jeffrey Epstein 's sex-trafficking operation, setting up a potential confrontation with the Trump administration. US president Donald Trump and his top aides have faced a firestorm over their handling of the Epstein case, with supporters and critics alike demanding they release documents, financial records and information about Epstein's sex-trafficking operation and who may have committed crimes against underage girls. Even as the House subpoena swept in Mr Clinton and his wife Hillary , Democrats' 2016 presidential nominee, the move threatens to douse fresh accelerant on an issue that has bedevilled Mr Trump and Republicans over the last several weeks. [ Donald Trump could be swallowed up by an Epstein conspiracy he helped create Opens in new window ] Democrats made life so politically painful for House Republicans over Epstein that speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home early for its August break to avoid votes on publicly releasing the Epstein files. Democrats had repeatedly offered amendments to legislation to compel the administration to make the files public and Republican leaders halted work on significant legislation. READ MORE Mr Trump has acknowledged he had a personal relationship with Epstein long ago and attended social gatherings with him, but has denied knowing anything about his sex-trafficking operation. The Wall Street Journal stoked new controversy over Mr Trump's relationship with Epstein with a story last month that said the president once sent a suggestive birthday letter to Epstein. Mr Trump denied the story and sued the news organisation. House oversight committee chairman James Comer , a Trump ally, demanded in a letter Tuesday to attorney general Pam Bondi the 'full, complete, unredacted Epstein files', including information about his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in sexually abusing underage women. He also issued subpoenas for depositions from an array of former high-ranking FBI and justice department officials, including former FBI director James Comey. The panel gave the justice department until August 19th to turn over records related to Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 as he faced sex-trafficking charges. A justice department spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for the Clintons. Bill Clinton, who has acknowledged travelling on Epstein's private plane, has previously denied knowing anything about the financier's sex trafficking. Mr Comer's panel already subpoenaed Maxwell for an August 11th deposition. But her lawyers have demanded criminal immunity in return for her testimony and Mr Comer hasn't agreed to the request. The justice department has asked federal courts to unseal grand jury materials related to Epstein's case, but hasn't voluntarily released information in its possession. The department has indicated in court filings that the grand jury material is limited and probably will not shed new light on what is already publicly known about Epstein's operation. In comparison, the department has a huge collection of documents and files obtained during the investigations into Epstein and Maxwell, including interviews with witnesses and victims. The subpoena to the department seeks all documents and communications related to seven different categories, including the criminal cases against Epstein and Maxwell and information about Epstein's death. – Bloomberg
