Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
564. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the local democracy and courts reporting scheme will be open to community radio, which plays a vital role in local news broadcasting; if not, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14163/24]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the important role that the community radio sector plays within the overall media landscape, and I commend these stations as they fulfil a vital role in community engagement, cohesion, and in the promotion of social inclusion in our communities large and small.
The Report of the Future of Media Commission examined the challenges faced by the media sector and consequent impact on the provision of public service content. The Report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges and to support the provision of public service content.
One recommendation made by the Future of Media Commission was the establishment of a new Media Fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media and journalism sector at local, regional and national levels. As the schemes are being administered on a platform neutral basis, community media will be eligible to apply for funding subject to meeting the eligibility criteria set out by Coimisiún na Meán.
The Media Fund is being established on an administrative basis, with the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán, with €6m allocated in Budget 2024 for this purpose. A process of engagement with the European Commission regarding State Aid has concluded positively and it has been agreed that the Schemes can be implemented without prior State Aid clearance.
In terms of next steps, it is now for Coimisiún na Meán to implement the Schemes. They will carry out stakeholder consultation on the detailed design of the schemes and once the schemes are finalised, will run a call for applications for both schemes. Further details on the timelines for rollout of the schemes will be made available by Coimisiún na Meán in due course.
Funding for the community radio sector is currently provided by Coimisiún na Meán through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which provides dedicated funding rounds for the sector. A major innovation in the current scheme has been the establishment of Social Benefit rounds for community broadcasters.
In 2020, a total of €670,000 was awarded to 22 community radio projects focused on social benefit, through a round exclusively dedicated to Community Radio projects. The following year, in 2021, a total of €516,300 was awarded to 19 community radio station projects, and last year funding of €710,000 was provided to 20 community radio projects. The most recent round of community radio funding closed for applications in February and up to €750,000 will be made available.
In addition to these dedicated funding rounds, community radio stations may also apply for open rounds of Sound and Vision, from which community radio has benefits from funding amounting to €1.14m in the period from 2020 to 2022.
I wish to assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, am fully committed to the continuing development and support of the wider media sector, including regional, local and community media outlets, which fulfil a unique role in our media environment.
