In Budget 2026 the Irish government has announced a number of initiatives related to game development.
Imirt welcomes the addition of post-release development to the Digital Games Tax Credit, effectively recognising that game development continues beyond the first launch of a game, as well as the extension of the scheme to 2031. This is a meaningful and necessary improvement to the credit and we commend the government for taking this first step.
Imirt firmly believes that additional changes remain key before the tax credit can live up to its potential, particularly in terms of being attractive to international companies looking to open game studios in Ireland. Imirt has published a pre-budget submission that details these changes here.
Imirt looks forward to working with the government to deliver on the planned improvements to the credit.
Screen Ireland have also received an additional €2.1 Million in funding with a recommendation from Minister O’Donovan to develop a new strategy to grow the games sector in Ireland. We are delighted to see further investment in the games sector come through Screen Ireland, who we are already partnering with on a number of initiatives including the Digital Games Portfolio fund and the development of a Digital Games Competency Framework. We believe these direct supports are a long term foundation from which to build up Ireland’s games sector and we look forward to growing our partnership with Screen Ireland.
Imirt also welcomes the proposal to bring forward a permanent successor to the Basic Income for the Arts scheme, and strongly recommends that art delivered through the medium of games be included.
Alongside all these initiatives linked to Budget 2026, Imirt has also put forward games roles for the Critical Skills Occupations List, and we would urge the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to adopt them to both strengthen the domestic industry and make game development in Ireland even more attractive to foreign direct investment.
Imirt would like to thank the government for these commitments. We also recognise the incredible work from our partners at Screen Ireland and Ardán, and from within our membership to contribute to making all this possible.
Colm Larkin
CEO
Imirt, The Irish Game Makers Association