Review into taxing theatre production costs to take place

The Government wants to support local communities who "depend on a vibrant cultural sector", the Minister for Finance has said.

Simon Harris said he has asked his officials, in conjunction with the Department of Culture, to "review the tax treatment of theatre production costs" and supports for the wider night-time economy.

This announcement comes against a background of a growing campaign amongst the Irish theatre community which is seeking a targeted fiscal incentive for the sector.

Inspired by the UK's Theatre Tax Relief scheme and Ireland's own section 481 film tax credit, arts organisations represented by The Performing Arts Forum (PAF) published a policy briefing on the potential incentives in recent months.

Calling it a Irish performing Arts Tax Credit, the forum believes that an incentive would "strengthen Ireland's performing arts sector and support long term growth".

The PAF, which includes The Abbey Theatre and National Opera House, believes that rather than replacing public investment, a Performing Arts Tax Credit would complement existing funding and encourage greater production activity, attract private investment, support employment and help Irish work reach a wider audience.

in his Budget speech, Mr Harris also announced an increase in the annual threshold for tax relief on the donation of heritage items to Irish national collections from €8 million to €12 million.