New report identifies Ireland’s audiovisual growth opportunities

The Report, from the Steering Group for the Audiovisual Industry, sets out a number of recommendations which it claims could double audiovisual turnover from €500 million to €1 billion, double jobs in the sector from 5,000 to 10,000 and increase industry exports.

In response to the report, Ireland’s Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan T.D announced that the Government had approved the formation of a new inter-departmental committee which will examine the feasibility of implementing the recommendations.

The Audiovisual Strategic Review Steering Group was chaired by former Secretary General of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Brendan Tuohy, with representatives from various government departments and industry members including Ed Guiney, James Morris and Tristan Orpen Lynch.

The report’s recommendations include developing Ireland’s export potential through a strategic plan prepared by Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland and planning for future skills requirements with industry training bodies and Forfás through their ‘Future Skills Needs’ plan.

Commenting on the report Deenihan said: “The Irish audiovisual sector possesses world-class talent and this report is key to unlocking its potential. The coherent interdepartmental collaboration between, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform along with the industry itself, will be central to the success of achieving sustainable growth for the sector and the skills to build a sustainable export market.”