Irish Film and TV industry call for regional tax break in Budget 2027

There have been calls by several film and television studios and producers to secure an improved tax break for regional productions in Budget 2027.

In an open letter seen by The Irish Times from film producer David Puttnam to Minister for Finance Simon Harris, he urges Harris to "spread Ireland’s screen industry across the whole country."

This enhanced rate for productions was in place from 2019-2023, however it was phased out. The aim of the tax break was to bring more productions to areas outside of Dublin or Wicklow.

Production companies can claim section 481 relief against their corporation tax liabilities to a value of 32 per cent of eligible expenditure or a maximum of €125 million.

However in 2025, only 14 per cent of the €502 million spent on productions in the Republic of Ireland were attributed to productions outside of Leinster.

Puttnam, who has lived in West Cork for 30 years, emphasised in the letter how people that want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry are forced to move to the east of the country, due to the lack of industry elsewhere.

He also gave the example of the new movie, Everybody Digs Bill Evans, which was filmed at West Cork Film Studios in Skibbereen. The film was awarded the prestigious Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year.

"The studio has brought a sense of vibrancy to the town, and people are finding jobs there who never would have considered our sector before," he said.

Several of Putnam's peers in the industry have echoed his sentiment, co-founder of West Cork Studios Steve Park said his business lost out on €20 million of productions in 2026 "because we can’t be as competitive."

Darach Ó Tuairisg, co-founder and chief executive of Fíbín Media in Galway said:

"A permanent 8 per cent regional uplift would give producers the certainty to commit to the region and the confidence to take ambitious projects to market, turning Galway’s promise into a lasting production hub."

Susan Kirby, chief executive of Screen Producers Ireland, said the regional tax break would enable her members to "work where they live." It would also "generate wider economic activity" in regions where productions are taking place.

Budget 2027 will be presented on October 6.