Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
124. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to carry out a comprehensive reform as to the way the television licence fee and other Exchequer funding is distributed to broadcasters for public service broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33189/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission to consider the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. The independent commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, is tasked with examining the challenges facing the sector and to consider the extent to which the current models of delivery are the appropriate ones for the next 10 years. It is examining how the public service media can be funded in a way that is sustainable, gives greater security of funding, ensures independent editorial oversight and delivers value for money to the public. This includes consideration of the current television licence fee model.
The Commission's Report is due to be completed at the end of July and I look forward to receiving their recommendations which will inform future funding policy.
