Games firms 'may create 2,500 jobs'

The games industry in Ireland could significantly increase the number of people it employs in the next two years, a new report has claimed.

The Forfás report on the games sector in Ireland, intended as an action plan for growth, predicts the industry could create an additional 2,500 jobs in the sector by 2014. There would also be a significant level of associated employment, the report said.

More than 2,000 people are directly employed in the games sector in Ireland today, a number that has increased five-fold since 2004.

Speaking at the report's publication today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he did not think the plan was overly ambitious. "The potential is phenomenal," he said. "What the Forfás report sets out is the creation of a real cluster of excellence here for the games industry. This target is achievable and Government are taking a real interest in this, and will respond to initiatives to improve the general environment for this business to flourish in the time ahead."

The global games sector is expected to increase in size from its current $59.3 billion (€39.6 billion) to $82.4 billion (€60.6 billion) by 2015, and the Forfás report claims that Ireland is well placed to take advantage of the continued expansion in global markets, particularly in online and social gaming sectors.

Ireland is already home to a number of major games firms, including EA, Bioware, Activitions Blizzard, Zynga and PopCap. That is in addition to the high-tech firms already operating here, which include Facebook, Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn and the recently announced Twitter office.

"This industry is on the way up and the Government is determined to ensure that Ireland becomes a recognised cluster for gaming companies that will attract more and further investment," Mr Kenny said. "We see this as a key priority growth area for Ireland because it draws on many of our core strengths."

The Taoiseach did not give any details about potential tax breaks that could be offered to games companies to help grow the industry, saying Ireland's tax position spoke for itself when it came to foreign direct investment.

Paul Hayes, communications director with industry body Games Ireland, said the Forfás report was a starting point, and would serve as a road map for future development.