The Cultural Dividend Generated by Ireland’s Film and Television Incentive

An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) © Inscéal

Client: Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

Location: Ireland

Commissioned by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, in 2022-23 SPI delivered an extensive study examining the cultural dividend generated by Ireland’s Section 481 Film and Television Incentive (Section 481).

The first of its kind, the study examines the impact that the Section 481 incentive has delivered for Irish society, for audiences in Ireland and around the world, and for professionals working in the Irish creative screen industry. The cultural dividend is the collective value of the cultural impact and industry development impacts of Section 481. 

In measuring cultural value, the report examines the different ways in which Irish film and television impacts individuals and society, from audience identification with settings and stories, pride and awareness of Irish history and cultural heritage, as well as the power to further the promotion and recognition of Ireland and Irish identity around the world.

A wide range of research methods were employed, including surveys, focus groups and analysis of individual film and television case study projects – focusing on the period 2017–2021.

Further information on the study can be found here.

Further information on SPI’s impact studies can be found here.

If you would like to hear more about this study, please email SPI Consultant Kayleigh Hughes on kayleigh@o-spi.com.