Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 December 2012
69. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will list the State aid granted to community radio and television stations over the past five years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and the amounts granted in supports for each individual station. [54902/12]
View answer70. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will include the amount of broadcasting time and other requirements in terms of production of local news and current affairs programmes by local community radio and television station; if he will set out the way those requirements have been fulfilled each year since 2008 by the community radio and television stations licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and receiving grants or other financial supports from the State. [54903/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is assigned responsibility under Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 for the development, management and administration of the Broadcasting Funding Scheme. In line with the legislative provisions, the Scheme aims, inter alia, to develop local and community broadcasting. In operating the Scheme, the BAI introduces date-specific funding rounds for radio and television on an annual basis, the results of which are subsequently published on the BAI website.
The BAI is also responsible for the licensing of independent radio broadcasting services in Ireland, including the licensing of community broadcasters. An objective of the Authority, provided for under the Broadcasting Act 2009, is to stimulate the provision of high quality, diverse and innovative programming by community broadcasters. Part 6 of the 2009 Act sets out the licensing process for commercial, community, temporary and institutional radio services. Further information on this process is also available from the Authority. In this regard, I have forwarded the Deputy’s questions to the BAI and asked that they respond directly to him.
