Tosóimid le ceisteanna don Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúr, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus na Meán le Ceist Uimh. 1.
I dtús báire ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit nua, an Teachta Byrne, agus go n-éirí leis.
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:1. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén fáth nár foilsíodh an reachtaíocht ag tús na míosa seo maidir le toghcháin Údarás na Gaeltachta a reáchtáil mar a gheall sí; agus an mbeidh na toghcháin ar siúl ar an lá céanna leis na toghcháin áitiúla agus Eorpacha. [17073/24]
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus comhghairdeas don Aire Stáit as an ardú céime atá faighte aige. Tá post mór tábhachtach aige anois ó thaobh na Gaeilge de. Ní ag dul ar thaobh atá sé. Is ardú céime é i mo thuairim féin.
Is ceist í seo a cuireadh isteach sular tharla an t-athrú aireachta ach tá sé fós cinniúnach go bhfuil sé anseo agus baineann sé le foilsiú reachtaíochta a bhí geallta ag tús na míosa seo, agus roimhe sin, maidir le toghchán d'Údarás na Gaeltachta agus cén uair a bheidh an reachtaíocht ann agus a leithéid sin.
Gabhaim buíochas as an dea-ghuí a thug an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus an Teachta dom ar maidin.
Ag a chruinniú den Mháirt, an 5 Márta 2024, ghlac an Rialtas cinneadh go ndréachtófaí, mar thosaíocht, an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (leasú) agus forálacha ilghnéitheacha, 2024. Tá i gceist ag mo Roinn anois leanúint ar aghaidh le dréachtú an Bhille mar thosaíocht i gcomhar le hOifig na nDréachtóirí Parlaiminte don Rialtas. Foilsíodh ceannteidil leasaithe an Bhille ar shuíomh na Roinne ar an 16 Aibreán 2024. Is é príomhaidhm an Bhille an próiseas ainmniúcháin agus roghnúcháin reatha faoina rialaítear ceapacháin ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta a athrú go próiseas nua toghcháin agus roghnúcháin. Neartaíodh agus leathnaíodh go mór na forálacha leasaithe sa scéim ghinearálta i gcomparáid leo siúd a cuireadh i láthair i scéim ghinearálta Bhille Údarás na Gaeltachta (leasú), 2022.
Tá forálacha breise ar fáil sa reachtaíocht bheartaithe a dhéanann cur síos ar nósanna imeachta do chomhaltaí boird a bheidh ag baint leasa as saoire reachtúil, chun folúntais ócáideacha a líonadh agus chun neamhláithreachtí ó chruinnithe boird a láimhseáil. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh cead ag baill d'údaráis áitiúla a bheith ceaptha mar chomhaltaí do bhord an údaráis. Ní bheidh Comhaltaí Tithe an Oireachtais nó iad siúd a thoghfar mar ionadaithe i bParlaimint na hEorpa incháilithe chun bheith ina gcomhaltaí den bhord.
Foráiltear freisin sa scéim ghinearálta nuashonraithe do thrí choiste réigiúnacha in ionad an dá choiste a moladh sa bhun-scéim ghinearálta. Beidh na coistí seo comhdhéanta de chomhaltaí boird agus ionadaithe áitiúla ó na réimsí seo a leanas: i réigiún an tuaiscirt, beidh triúr comhalta tofa an údaráis ann don réigiún seo chomh maith le comhalta amháin ó gach ceann de chomhairlí contae Dhún na nGall agus Mhaigh Eo; i réigiún an iarthair agus an oirthir, beidh ceathrar comhalta tofa an údaráis ann don réigiún seo chomh maith le comhalta amháin ó gach ceann de chomhairlí contae na Gaillimhe agus na Mí; agus i réigiún an deiscirt, beidh triúr comhalta tofa an údaráis ann don réigiún seo chomh maith le comhalta amháin ó gach ceann de chomhairlí contae Chorcaí, Chiarraí agus Phort Láirge. Tá sonraí nua ó thaobh fheidhmeanna na gcoistí réigiúnacha seo sa scéim ghinearálta nua chomh maith.
Tá dáta na dtoghchán á choinneáil faoi athbhreithniú de réir mar a théann an obair dhréachtaithe ar aghaidh, ach níl aon dabht nach mbeidh na toghcháin ar siúl ar an 7 Meitheamh. Beidh mé ag déanamh teagmhálacha príobháideacha eile de bharr sin agus rinne mé cinneadh é sin a rá mar níl sé réadúil na toghcháin a bheith ar siúl ar an 7 Meitheamh.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Tá an Rialtas imithe siar ar ghealltanas a tugadh go mbeadh dréacht-Bille os ár gcomhair roimh mhí Aibreáin. Ní hé seo an chéad ghealltanas maidir leis an mBille seo. Aithním go bhfuil ceannteidil nua ann. Rinneamar a lán oibre anuraidh i gCoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge agus rinneamar brostú ar an obair sin chun cuidiú leis an Rialtas, mar a dúramar ag an am, is é sin go mbeadh Bille os ár gcomhair agus go mbeimid in ann an toghchán a bheith ar chomhchéim leis na toghcháin áitiúla agus na hEorpa. Is trua linn é sin.
Dáiríre, fiafraím den Aire Stáit cén uair a fheicimid an Bille nua nó an bhfuilimid chun an deis a thapú díriú isteach ar na cumhachtaí iomlána a bheidh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta nach bhfuil aige faoi láthair agus, dá réir, an gcuirfidh sé sin moill leis seo?
Déarfainn ar dtús nach bhfuil mé ag iarraidh moill a chur ar an reachtaíocht seo. Tá mé ag iarraidh go léifear an reachtaíocht sa Dáil agus sa Seanad agus go n-éireoidh leis an mBille seo a chur ina Acht roimh an samhradh. Is é sin an aidhm atá agam. Tá na ceannteidil díreach foilsithe.
An é sin samhradh na bliana seo?
Is é samhradh na bliana seo agus is é sin an aidhm atá agam ach níl mé ach seachtain sa Roinn. Tá na ceannteidil foilsithe. Tá a fhios agam cé chomh tábhachtach is atá sé seo. Tá roinnt rudaí ar mhaith liom leasú a dhéanamh orthu maidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta ach, ag an am céanna, níl mé ag iarraidh moill a chur ar an mBille agus ar an bpróiseas reachtaíochta. Tá daoine ag teacht chugam anois ag rá go bhfuil plean nó leasú acu agus ba mhaith liom machnamh a dhéanamh ar na leasuithe sin. Ag an am céanna, níl mé ag iarraidh moill a chur ar an mBille.
Molaim don Aire Stáit féachaint arís ar an tuarascáil a chuir an coiste le chéile agus fiú amháin ar na haighneachtaí bhí ansin. Tá a lán den stuif a bhí á lorg, agus a bhí agus a bheidh á lorg maidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus leis an toghchán, gafa ansin. Ní raibh gach ceist freagartha; tá a fhios againn sin. Cén uair a bheidh na ceannteidil foilsithe i nGaeilge mar níl siad ar an suíomh Idirlín ach i mBéarla? Tá sé go dona gur tharla sé sin arís mar gur tharla sé an uair dheireanach chomh maith.
Measaim gur cinneadh ciallmhar é ag an staid seo go raibh na ceannteidil nua foilsithe ach b'fhearr liomsa go mbeadh Bille ann. An bhfuil aon chinnteacht ann, fiafraím den Aire Stáit, mura shroichimid go mbeidh an Bille ann roimh an samhradh agus go mbeidh sé ann, ar a laghad, roimh dheireadh na bliana seo?
Maidir leis na ceannteidil a bheith as Béarla, chuir mé an cheist chéanna ar an Roinn. Nuair a d'fhéach mé ar dtús, bhí siad as Béarla agus chuir mé ceist cén fáth nach raibh siadsan as Gaeilge. Fuair mé iad ach níl an nasc Idirlín agam anseo. Tá siad ar líne mar go bhfuair mise iad cúpla lá ó shin.
Nuair a théitear ar shuíomh an Aire Stáit féin, brúitear an cnaipe agus tá teideal ar an gcnaipe i nGaeilge ach níl ach doiciméad amháin ann.
Okay, agus ní féidir linn glacadh leis sin. Beidh mé ag dul i dteagmháil leis an Roinn maidir leis sin ach caithfidh mé a rá gur chuir mé an cheist chéanna agus fuair mé iad so níl a fhios agam. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall é sin a athrú agus níl sé sin ceart mar ba cheart go mbeadh siad i dtosach trí Ghaeilge. Táim ag iarraidh comhoibriú ó na dréachtóirí agus tá siad faoi bhrú freisin. Tá an Bille seo ar liosta tosaigh an Rialtais a foilsíodh i rith na seachtaine seo. Beidh mé i dteagmháil leis na dréachtóirí, leis an Ard-Aighne agus le mo hoifigigh. Go cinnte, léifidh mé an tuarascáil atá foilsithe ag an gcoiste freisin. Ag an am céanna, má tá a lán oibre le déanamh maidir le leasuithe, cuirfidh sé sin moill ar an bpróiseas.
Artists' Remuneration
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in light of the basic income for artists initial report, if she will commit now to including a full roll-out of this scheme for all artists in budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17256/24]
The basic income for artists was introduced at the end of 2022 after a great deal of campaigning by the arts sector. To date, it has led to significant improvements in the well-being and mental health of artists, a reduction in the amount of time they have to work in other jobs, an increase in the amount of time they work at their arts practice and some improvements in people's incomes and deprivation levels, the latter of which were significant before the scheme's introduction. As we head into the budget, are we going to extend the pilot scheme to other artists?
The basic income for the arts is a once-in-a-generation policy intervention that has the potential to transform the lives of artists. The scheme is part of a suite of measures I have introduced to support professional arts practice, including record funding of €134 million for the Arts Council, increased funding for Screen Ireland, the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, a new pilot capital support scheme for arts, culture and the night-time economy, and increased funding for Creative Ireland.
The basic income for the arts is accompanied by a three-year research programme, which started in October 2022 and will continue until the end of the pilot in 2025. The primary objective of this data collection is to capture a wide range of information related to artists' demographics, income sources, spending habits, financial well-being, work and job quality, perceptions of the arts sector, time use, health and well-being, and experiences of discrimination. The research programme is a unique opportunity to gather data on the sector that we did not have before. In researching impacts on recipients and on the ecology of the arts, this pilot scheme has the potential to change the landscape of the arts and how we fund them. It will help us to make further progress towards a more evidence-based approach to funding for the arts and to tell a story about the sector based to a greater extent on data.
While I am optimistic that the basic income payment is having a positive impact on those receiving it, I am cognisant of the data that is emerging about the difficult conditions that artists find themselves in more generally. Therefore, I have instructed my officials to organise a status of the artist conference that will focus on income and working conditions in the arts. The conference will take place next month in Dublin.
Once the research on the basic income for the arts is finalised, the Government will be in a position to assess the programme. The evidence that is derived from this scheme will form the basis for the development and implementation of new guidelines and Government policy. My officials are working on a further report that will analyse the first year of the pilot, which is scheduled to be published in quarter 2.
Before the pilot scheme, 72% of respondents to a survey earned less than the national hourly average and 16% earned less than the minimum wage. The reality for most people working in the arts is precariousness, a lack of employment and income security, being forced out of the arts because they cannot sustain themselves, and high levels of deprivation and stress due to their precarious situations. It is clear from the reports to date that the scheme has improved, albeit not enough, the situation of arts workers, so why delay extending it? I welcome the reference to the forum. Will arts spokespeople be allowed to attend it so that it can hear what artists are saying? We need to engage with artists and should extend the scheme now.
It would be good to have artists' spokespeople attend such a conference, given how they speak for artists and various parties. I am happy to extend an invitation to them and give them the details of the conference's date in May, its format and its agenda.
I assure the Deputy that, as the Minister who introduced this support, I am aware of the pilot scheme's benefits. It is a three-year research pilot. I have placed critical emphasis on that research to help gather data and inform future decisions. We have only had one publication of research to date, but the benefits that have emerged are obvious. I do not just mean the benefits to the recipients' arts practices but also to the recipients' well-being. I have received direct feedback from many recipients about the transformational impact of the basic income support. I know how important it has been for artists.
The research is ongoing. It is critical that we gather further data to have the best possible information on which to make future policy decisions, so we need all of this research. Notwithstanding my firm commitment to the support, the Deputy should appreciate that I cannot anticipate the budgetary process in April.
There was a promise a number of years ago by, I believe, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, who was under pressure from the campaigning by the arts sector, that arts spending would be doubled. I doubt that has happened. Maybe the Minister could comment on this. Our percentage of GDP spent on arts is significantly less than the European average, so we have a long way to go even if there have been some improvements as a result of the campaigning by arts workers in recent years.
I do not believe that the gathering of research means there is no need to expand the scheme. We could expand the value of the research. There were 8,000 applicants for the scheme, but only 2,000 people got on it. It is clearly improving the situation for arts workers, whose starting point was not good. The situation is still blighted by precariousness and insecurity of employment and income. Why not expand the scheme now? That would align with the commitment given previously to substantially increase the amount of money going into the arts sector.
If I have all of the research, it will help to form a stronger case for my argument to extend the scheme. I am trying to do what is best for the artist community.
Regarding investment in the arts, while there is always more to be done, funding for the culture programme in my Department in the four years since I became Minister has grown by over 90%, funding for the Arts Council has grown by 68%, funding for Screen Ireland has grown by 88% and funding for Culture Ireland has grown by 65%. The ground-breaking basic income for the arts research programme represents an investment of €105 million. Funding for the national cultural institutions has increased by over 50%. We are supporting the provision of new artist workspaces in Dublin city and elsewhere.
I am absolutely committed. The track record shows that, as do the changes that are happening in the sector and the support it is finally receiving. The Deputy will probably agree that the sector was probably neglected for many years. I will continue to be committed to the highest possible levels of support for the arts.
Culture Policy
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:3. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has studied the potential impact and benefits in terms of tourism and culture of developing a culture quarter in the Moore Street area as a living commemoration to the heroes of 1916. [17074/24]
Has the Department studied the potential impacts and benefits in terms of tourism and culture of developing a culture quarter on Moore Street as a living commemoration to the heroes of 1916?
The Deputy will appreciate that the development of city quarters, such as the one outlined by him, is primarily a matter for Dublin City Council as the relevant local authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000. However, my Department is investing significantly in the city's cultural infrastructure through our national cultural institutions, including the Abbey Theatre. The record funding I have delivered in support of arts and culture, including direct funding through Creative Ireland and the Arts Council, is adding significantly to the vibrancy of our capital. Fáilte Ireland also has a number of strategic initiatives and partnerships in place to support a vibrant and diverse tourism industry in Dublin city.
As the Deputy will be aware from his constructive role on the all-party consultation group on commemorations, the Ireland 2016 centenary programme was the centrepiece of the Decade of Centenaries and its objective was to have a rich diversity of events and programming running throughout 2016, marking the centenary of the 1916 Rising, including those who took part in those seminal events. The programme was unprecedented in scale and ambition and rolled out a number of innovative programmes and initiatives across Dublin city and nationally. As part of the programme, the then Government invested significantly in major capital projects across Dublin city to leave a permanent and meaningful legacy for the commemorations.
These projects included: the GPO: Witness History visitor centre; a new visitor centre at Kilmainham Courthouse; the refurbished Kevin Barry Recital Rooms; refurbished military archives; an interactive tourist centre at Richmond Barracks; and the Henrietta Street tenement museum. All of these projects have contributed to providing an authentic and rich tourism offering in Dublin city for citizens and visitors alike.
Finally, in relation to Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street, the then Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht purchased the monument site in 2015. However, as the Heritage function transferred to the Department of housing in 2020, issues in relation to the national monument are now a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That said, I am aware of the work which is being done there to conserve the national monument and to create a 1916 commemorative centre, which will add to the overall cultural, heritage and tourism attractiveness of Dublin.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. The Ministers and others in the House will be aware that I had a legislation, An Bille um Cheathrú Chultúir 1916, 2021, that was passed here in the House on Second Stage in 2021 and has languished in the housing committee, which it probably should not have been sent to. It should have been sent, as originally intended, to the arts committee where at least the concept would have been looked at as a whole. That is not necessarily to do with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. It was not a new idea. It was based on a Bill put forward by the then Senator Darragh O'Brien, but it has been jettisoned since then.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity still exists, even given that there is a planning application in and we cannot necessarily interfere with that, for the State to step in and ensure that we have an appropriate cultural quarter in that area that recognises not only the history of 1916, but also that of a living market and those who sold and plied their trade on Moore Street for many years.
As I said earlier, the matters relating to the development of Moore Street are for the relevant local authority, Dublin City Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and work is currently under way with the OPW and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the conservation of the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street. The responsibilities of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this matter relate to the maintenance and presentation of the national monument of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street.
As Minister for arts and culture, I am supportive of investment in arts infrastructure based on the intrinsic value of our arts and investing in our cultural infrastructure based on the fundamental importance of protecting and presenting our cultural heritage. That is why in Dublin, for example, the Government is investing in a major programme of capital investment in our national cultural institutions, including the Abby Theatre.
I do not know whether the Minister is aware that there is an opportunity here for a national programme and it is not only the responsibility of the city council because this area will be impacted by the metro. The State owns not only Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street but owns other properties in the area. Also, An Post has decamped from the GPO, which means that one could have, as envisaged, not only by me but by Deputy Darragh O'Brien in the past in the Seanad, a cultural quarter which would extend from the GPO - all the way - and covered that region of Moore Street where one would link in with other national cultural institutions in the area. That opportunity is still there. Once any building happens, one has lost what is, in my belief and the belief of judges in the past, a national monument. Once it is gone, it is not coming back. We still have as a State an opportunity to step in and preserve what is there, to build on it and to use it as a cultural quarter.
As I said, as Minister for arts and culture, I see how that investment in the cultural infrastructure is of fundamental importance.
We see other areas of regeneration through investment in culture, such as The Abbey, as I have checked, which is a driver of renewal for the area. That is what is really exciting about investment in culture, but also, definitely, there are benefits when we do this for tourism. The Deputy mentioned the GPO. The benefits for tourism from attractions such as that cannot be underestimated. The State's investment in this building was hugely significant.
It is also the case that cultural investment is a support for tourism and our NCIs are amongst the most visited free attractions for tourists every year. Dublin is the city of Joyce, U2, St. Patrick's Festival and associated cultural programmes. However, as I said, the development of a project such as that described by the Deputy is a matter for Dublin City Council and it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, to comment further. National monuments are a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Media Sector
Matt Shanahan
Question:4. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the scope for increasing the funding for recommendations made within the Report of the Future of Media Commission; and when funding from these proposals will be rolled out to media organisations nationwide, given that the local and European elections and the first directly-elected mayor election in Limerick will take place at the start of June 2024.. [17014/24]
My question relates to the scope for increasing funding for recommendations from the Report of the Future of Media Commission. When will funding be rolled out, given we have future elections on the horizon, not least the local elections and the directly-elected mayoral elections coming up in the June this year?
The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the associated decline in advertising revenue. For this reason, the Future of Media Commission was established to examine the challenges faced by the media sector and the impact on the provision of public service content.
The report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges, including the establishment of a new media fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform-neutral basis. The Commission recommended €30 million be provided. That included the funding already made available through the existing broadcasting fund, which amounts to an average of €15 million per annum from television licence receipts and which supports the Sound and Vision scheme. Since the formation of this Government, a further €28.4 million in Exchequer funding has been provided to Sound and Vision, enabling increased investment in public service content for television and radio.
With regard to the wider media fund, I secured €6 million in budget 2024 for new local democracy and courts reporting schemes. These are being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán. The schemes will support the employment or engagement by media service providers of journalists for the production of public interest journalism.
While not directly linked to the upcoming elections, the overall purpose of the local democracy reporting scheme is to support local democracy reporting on a general basis through the provision of comprehensive coverage of the proceedings of local authorities and associated committees.
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 Mean to implement the schemes. A public consultation on the detailed design of the schemes opened on 4 April and will close on 2 May 2024. Once the schemes are finalised, Coimisiún na Mean will run a call for applications for both schemes. Further details on the timelines for the roll-out of the schemes will be made available by Coimisiún na Mean in due course.
The Future of Media Commission report was a welcome step in safeguarding the public interest in journalism and media in Ireland. We have never probably had a more important time to promote and fund quality journalism, especially with the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation across the Internet. It is needed to address the severe threats that we are seeing from these multiple angles.
I would advise the Minister - I am sure she knows - we are seeing experienced and passionate journalists moving from their roles as public watchdogs into PR and communication roles, primarily because journalism is no longer financially able to sustain many. The young journalists are leaving college and starting work in local newspapers only to become quickly disillusioned by the poor salaries on offer and the lack of quality job advancement.
It is no wonder that our news agencies are under threat. When we look at the likes of Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok, we know the risks of free content. They come with zero guarantees and require a hefty dose of scepticism. I would say Twitter, in particular, has become the Wild West in local media.
It is important that we get funding into our media as quickly as possible so that we have something tangible that there is integrity attached to.
I agree with the Deputy. As I said, we are in that final public consultation that closes in early May.
At least we got the state aid approval. There are certain processes that have to be gone through, but Coimisiún na Mean has secured that. Television, radio, print, online and community media will all be eligible to apply for the funding, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria set out by Coimisiún na Mean. Applications will be open to all eligible providers with no specific allocation or ring-fencing for different parts of the media sector, so it will be as fair and balanced as possible. It is needed, especially for local print and radio, which are absolutely essential. As the Deputy appreciates, we need to get our journalists back into the courts and reporting on local democracy. For those who have grown up in rural Ireland, it is what you look for in the newspaper and local radio is what you listen to when you wake in the morning. I am glad to have been in a position to have provided that €6 million in the budget. I encourage the Deputy to participate in the public consultation.
My local radio station, WLR FM, is offering media training for five voluntary groups across Waterford in the coming weeks. WLR FM has been running a broadcasting course for up-and-coming journalists in Waterford for the past 25 years or so. It is the type of initiative we need to see more funding for. Given that we have elections on the horizon, we need to look at the scope for increased funding. Some months ago, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, said the €6 million being provided for courts and public service reporting was going to be made available. I am rather disappointed the money has still not been provided. As the Minister knows, the journalism sector received Government support in the form of a VAT cut but the radio sector has been waiting for some time to see this public money. I ask her to look at that and whether there is scope for increasing that funding.
Once the consultation in concluded in May, my Department and Coimisiún na Mean will work to get the schemes operational and to the market as early as possible. Since taking office in 2020, I have secured an additional €28.4 million in Exchequer funding for Sound and Vision. The Deputy is probably aware that WLR FM received almost €300,000 in the period 2020 to 2023 to support a range of different programming. This included programming celebrating the 30th anniversary of Fleadh Mór Tramore, "Waterford in Action - A Climate Discussion" and "Gaeilge sa Ghalltacht", a series focused on the Irish language in Waterford and the lives of those who speak it. Last week, funding of €7.9 million for 27 television and 38 radio projects was announced, as well as €706,000 to support community broadcasters. This included €1 million of the additional Exchequer funding provided to Coimisiún na Mean. An coimisiún has also recently opened a further round for applications. Again, additional Exchequer funding has been provided. I intend to allocate €7.4 million to this next round, including €2 million provided by the Government. I encourage all producers and broadcasters to consider submitting applications.
Questions Nos. 5 and 6 taken with Written Answers.