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Broadcasting Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024

Thursday, 9 May 2024

Ceisteanna (37)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

37. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to give a commitment to multi-annual funding for local community radio stations that operate the community services programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20939/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.

The CSP currently supports thirteen radio stations throughout the country, as set out in Appendix I, with funding of €1.33m for 2024, supporting thirteen manager positions and thirty five FTE positions.  Multi-annual contracts are in place up to 31 December 2027.

Indecon's Report on the Review of the CSP Programme published in 2020, recommended a review of the responsibility for funding specific services across Government Departments, including Community Radio Stations, to ensure that they are supported by the most relevant Departments and state agencies responsible for specific policy areas. 

My Department will engage with those organisations in specified sectors to identify more appropriate funding sources and this has been provided for in their grant agreement contracts.

Service types that may be considered to be more appropriately supported by other departments and state agencies, that are already supported under the CSP Programme, will continue to be supported by the Programme, by exception, however, these were not considered a priority under the 2023 Open Call.   

Appendix I – List of CSP supported Radio Stations

CSP supported organisations

County

No. of Manager positions

No. of Full Time Equivalent positions

2024 Allocation

Dublin 15 Community Broadcasting Co-operative Society Limited

Dublin - Fingal

1

3

€ 104,525.00

Community Radio Castlebar F.M. CLG

Mayo

1

3

€ 114,750.00

Youghal Communications CLG

Cork

1

3

€ 104,525.00

South West Clare Community Radio CLG

Clare

1

4

€ 140,500.00

Kilkenny Community Communications Co-Operative Society Limited

Kilkenny

1

3

€ 104,525.00

Connemara Community Radio CLG

Galway

1

3

€ 104,525.00

Tipperary Mid-West Radio Co-Operative Society Limited

Tipperary

1

3

€ 114,750.00

Cork New Life Media

Cork

1

1

€ 58,175.00

Dundalk Media Centre CLG

Louth

1

4

€ 140,500.00

Claremorris Community Radio CLG

Mayo

1

2

€ 81,350.00

RosFM Radio CLG

Roscommon

1

1

€ 58,175.00

Athlone Community Radio CLG

Westmeath

1

4

€ 140,500.00

Liffey Sound Communications Co-Operative Society Limited

South County Dublin

1

1

€ 63,250.00

Totals

13

35

€ 1,330,050.00

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