WAVF Pre-Budget Submission 2026: Empowering Regional Storytelling/ Scéalaíocht réigiúnach a chumhachtú

Date posted:

03.07.2025

Tags:

Pre Budget Submission 2026
Regional Storytelling
WAVF
Western AV Forum

Empowering Regional Storytelling/ Scéalaíocht réigiúnach a chumhachtú:

WAVF Pre-Budget Submission 2026 by Ardán as Chair of The Western AV Forum

Ní neart go cur le chéile!
[DOWNLOAD THE WAVF PRE BUDGET SUBMISSION HERE.]

Key Recommendations / Achoimre feidhmiúcháin

1. Reinstate and Expand the Section 481 Regional Uplift

A new S481 Regional Uplift @ min 8% for regional productions and for at least 10 years without tapering.
Achieved via: Legislative reform allowing Minister to define “assisted region” and revised cultural test.

2. Establish a Dedicated Regional Producers’ Fund

Establish a production fund, administered by experienced regional stakeholders, open to all regional producers.
This discretionary fund will complement the automatic uplift, support new projects and Regional IP, and allow regional companies to scale in line with peers in Leinster.

3. Empower Agency for Regional Stakeholders

Leverage existing competencies of regional stakeholders so funding is targeted, transparent, and of maximum impact/value.
Collaborate with Third Level Institutions, Screen Ireland, and National Talent Academies to develop regional skills to ensure that talent is nurtured locally and retained regionally
Empower local voices, cultural expression/storytelling from rural/ Gaeltacht regions, and work rooted in our indigenous language.”

4. Enhance Section 481A Digital Games Tax Credit

Broaden definition to ‘Game Products’, include DLC/ Live Service, and games made partially in Ireland.
Studios with modern development models/ongoing content strategies will benefit from the incentive, increasing FDI appeal.

5. Double Discretionary Funding for Games

Increased discretionary games funding, à la Screen Ireland’s film production support, for tailored, project-specific investment.
This would foster more diverse, innovative projects and a sustainable, competitive games sector.

Ardaíonn an taoide thuile gach aon bhád – ach amháin má dhéanaimid infheistíocht i ngach aon chuan. Anois an t-am todhchaí chothrom den chéad scoth a chinntiú d’Earnáil Scáileáin na hÉireann. / A rising tide lifts all boats- but only if we invest in every harbour. Now is the moment to secure a balanced, world-class future for the Irish Screen Sector.