I propose to take Questions Nos. 1421, 1422, 1425 and 1441 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have obtained Government approval to proceed with the drafting of a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009 including amendment of the provisions of the Act relating to the broadcasting levy to alleviate the burden on broadcasters. The proposals provide that a portion of the licence fee receipts will be paid to BAI to help defray their administrative costs. This will reduce the overall levy to be paid by the sector and would be applied evenly across all broadcasters. The amount of the reduction would be contingent on the overall level of licence fee receipts.
The proposals also provide for the introduction of a new funding scheme to offer bursaries to journalists working in local or community radio stations and to provide for tendering for TV Licence fee collection.
The proposed amendments are currently being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.