Ireland's arts industry contributes EUR306.8m (£263.7m) in taxes and supports more than 21,000 jobs, according to a new economic impact report by Arts Council Ireland (ACI).

ACI said Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Arts in Ireland showed how the industry provided "significant direct and indirect employment" across the country.

Indecon International Economic Consultations was commissioned to compile the new study, which provided an update on a previous economic impact report carried out in 2009.

The latest study underlined how "the arts continue to be a major employer and contributor to Irish economic output", while also exploring the impact on the wider creative industries.

ACI awarded EUR60.3m (£51.8m) to arts groups and individuals in 2010, with the recipients generating an estimated turnover of EUR135m (£116m) in the same year.

Jimmy Deenihan, minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht, said: "By focusing on the arts as an element of social and economic renewal, we are playing to our strengths."

ACI chair Pat Moylan added: "While the arts should not be evaluated solely on economic grounds, it is clear from this report that the sector is a financially important and labour intensive one."

Details: www.artscouncil.ie (PDF)

Image: The Abbey Theatre, Dublin – Marie-Lan Nguyen