The economic impact of the arts in Ireland may be higher than is generally recognised, according to a new report commissioned by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon to assess “the economic impact of the arts as an input to policy”. The report shows that the Arts Council’s annual investment of €76m supports more than 3,000 jobs, generates an annual turnover of €192m, and brings in €54m in taxes. The wider arts sector employs more than 26,000 people and brings in €382m in tax revenue, with a total expenditure of €1.8bn. Arts Council Chairman Pat Moylan said, “at last we can back up what we have known by instinct: the Arts Council is making a very significant contribution to the Irish economy, and can help to generate hundreds more jobs right now”.
