Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
206. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans regarding financial supports to the Irish magazine sector in view of the fact that VAT was abolished for Irish newspapers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60637/22]
View answerA diverse, vibrant and independent media sector is essential for our society, democracy and cultural development. However, it is a sector that is undergoing profound change. Government recognised this, and established the Future of Media Commission to examine how media should serve Irish society, how well the current system meets these goals and what changes ought to be made to improve media in Ireland in the future.
The Commission’s comprehensive and timely report details both the challenges and opportunities for media companies in Ireland. The recommendations contained in the report are a blueprint for the Government to now build a framework to support the media sector to face the challenges ahead, and to continue its vital role in educating, informing and entertaining the public.
The Government accepted, in principle, 49 of the 50 Commission’s recommendations, including its recommendation in relation to VAT on newspapers, and this measure was announced in Budget 2023. The issue of VAT in respect of magazines is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
Other recommendations arising from the Commission's report include the conversion of the Broadcasting Fund into a platform neutral Media Fund to provide funding to the wider media sector. This Fund will be open to all media, including the print sector. Funding of €6m has been secured for the first two Schemes under the Media Fund, namely the Courts Reporting and Local Democracy Schemes, and these will be put in place in 2023 by Coimisiún na Meán.
The Government established an Implementation Group to devise an action plan to give effect to the Report’s recommendations and to oversee their implementation. This will be brought to Government shortly and will then be published.
While there are currently no specific financial supports available to the magazine sector, the Government has made a range of supports available to business such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.
I will continue to closely monitor the wider media sector and respond appropriately to issues that arise.
