The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) has said it received 18 complaints from the public relating to classifications awarded in 2018.

The most received in respect of any one title was six in the case of 'Show Dogs', a comedy classified PG.

Of these, two were from people who had not seen the film.

The IFCO - which lists all films currently on release in Ireland, as well as upcoming releases - has launched its annual report for last year.

It certified 448 films, 2,621 video works and examined 36 video games in 2018.

There was a decline of approximately 15% in the number of video/DVDs submitted to IFCO for certification in 2018 - though the total number of video works certified was 2,621.

The IFCO explained: "This decline is likely to be indicative of the changing preferences of the public in terms of how they access films.

"As a result, it is likely that a decrease in such applications will continue.

"IFCO has made efforts to address this with its new online delivery system."

IFCO also has a role with regard to video games.

During 2018, it examined 36 games rated 18 by the Pan European Games Information System (PEGI), of which Ireland has been a member since its foundation in 2003.

Coinciding with its annual report, the IFCO has re-launched its website, in an attempt to help parents make informed viewing choices for their children.

It said the new and improved user friendly website allows "quick access to key information" about the releases.

In addition to listing the age rating awarded by IFCO and details of the genre of film, each entry also gives a guide to any violence, drugs, sex/nudity and language in the film - as well as other relevant comments.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton, said: "IFCO - 96 years in existence and one of the oldest agencies in the State - has embraced change, transparency and modernisation in recent years.

"The new IFCO website is designed to be more user friendly and brings an improved design and additional information to users.

"I hope members of the public, and particularly parents and guardians, will find the website helpful.

"We have moved into an era of immediate access to information coupled with public expectations that State bodies will provide accurate and up to date information at the touch of a button."

IFCO was founded in 1923 as the Irish Film Censor's Office and is an agency of the Department of Justice.

The name of the office was changed to the Irish Film Classification Office in 2008 to reflect the changing role of the office from censorship to age classification.

IFCO's current role is that of a consumer advice agency. Its decisions are still legally binding and all powers of prohibition remain.

Its decisions are independent and may only be appealed to the Classification of Films Appeal Board, which is also an independent entity.

To date, the office has examined almost 55,000 films (and their trailers) and 125,000 video/DVDs.