Animation Ireland is asking the Irish government for a long-term tax credit program to keep the country’s industry competitive and productive.

It is asking the government to extend Ireland’s current tax credit scheme, (referred to by its regulatory code, Section 481) through to 2029. It is currently set to expire in 2024.

Section 481 gives Irish film and TV producers 32% to 37% (depending where the project is produced) back on qualifying spend up to US$70 million per project. The Irish animation industry has thrived under Section 481 and Animation Ireland says its expiry could put at risk the 2,500 people across 42 studios that currently service the industry.

However, what is really needed is a new scheme that isn’t at risk of ending every five years, said Ronan McCabe, chief executive of Animation Ireland. Knowing the credit will remain in place and keep the country’s industry competitive will help studios attract talent, book long-term work and also gives buyers and producers confidence in cost projections, said McCabe.

Ireland’s kids animation sector has been on the rise in the last decade. In March, Irish development agency Screen Ireland launched the National Academy Talent for Animation program to increase the number of skilled staff working in the country’s animation sector to meet high demand.

Animation Ireland also plans to lobby the government to implement a program where SVODs operating in the country have to invest in local production. The global nature of streamers like Netflix is leading to more homogenous programming, and to better support Irish animation and Irish stories, these buyers need to be giving back to the countries, an Animation Ireland spokesperson tells Kidscreen.