Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
1421. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to bring forward amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36787/17]
View answer1422. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his legislative plans to provide for the collection of readmission fees by broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36788/17]
View answer1425. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the licence fee revenue he expects will be retained on an annual basis for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI; the impact this will have on revenue for broadcasting companies (details supplied), in view of the proposed head 2 of the general scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36791/17]
View answer1441. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the changes he is planning on making to the funding of public broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37727/17]
View answerI 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.
