Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2023
163. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad maoiniú breise a theastóidh chun straitéis forbartha TG4 a chur i bhfeidhm in aghaidh na bliana, agus an bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Aire í a chur i bhfeidhm. [24700/23]
View answerSan Acht Craolacháin 2009 ceanglaítear ar chraoltóirí seirbhíse poiblí ráiteas straitéise a ullmhu gach 5 bliana, ina ndéantar cur síos ar an gcaoi a bhfuil sé beartaithe acu a gcuid cuspóirí faoin Acht a sheachadadh. Chomh maith leis sin de réir an Achta, ceanglaítear ar Choimisiún na Meán (Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann roimhe seo) athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na straitéisí, leordhóthanacht an mhaoinithe a chuirtear ar fáil, agus moltaí a dhéanamh maidir leis an maoiniú a theastaíonn.
D’ullmhaigh agus chuir TG4 a ráiteas straitéise don tréimhse 2018 go 2022 isteach i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2017, agus tá straitéis nua á hullmhú acu don tréimhse 2023 go 2027 faoi láthair.
Tar éis athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an straitéis 2018 go 2022, chinn Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann go raibh méadú €6m ag teastáil ar mhaoiniú reatha bliantúil TG4. Thar an tréimhse atá i gceist méadaíodh an leithdháileadh maoinithe bliantúil incháilithe do TG4 go €43.049m, thart ar €4.249m os cionn an leibhéil a moladh.
In 2021, d’fhorbair TG4 straitéis iar-COVID. Cé nach straitéis reachtúil í seo agus nár athbhreithnigh Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann í, mar sin féin, fuair mé €7.3m sa bhreis do 2023, arbh é an t-ardú maoinithe aonair is mó a bronnadh ar TG4 ó bunaíodh é. Áiríodh leis an leithdháileadh seo soláthar do sheoladh chainéal nua Cúla4 do pháistí i mí Mheán Fómhair na bliana seo.
Nuair a fhaightear an straitéis nua, déanfaidh Coimisiún na Meán athbhreithniú ar leordhóthanacht an mhaoinithe atá ar fáil chun an straitéis seo a sheachadadh, agus ar athbhreithniú an Choimisiúin a fháil, scrúdóidh mé aon mholtaí ar aon dul leis an bpróiseas reachtúil.
The Broadcasting Act 2009 requires public service broadcasters to prepare a strategy statement every 5 years, detailing how they intend to deliver on their objects under the Act. Also in accordance with the Act, Coimisiún na Meán (formerly the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) is required to review the strategies, the adequacy of funding provided, and make recommendations as to the funding required to meet commitments under the strategies.
TG4 prepared and submitted their strategy statement for the 2018 to 2022 period in October 2017, and are currently preparing a new strategy for the 2023 to 2027 period.
Following the review of the 2018 to 2022 strategy, the former BAI determined that TG4 required an increase in annual current funding of €6m. Over the period in question TG4's eligible annual funding allocation was increased to €43.049m, some €4.249m above the level recommended.
In 2021, TG4 developed a post-COVID strategy. While this was not a statutory strategy, and as such was not reviewed by the BAI, nevertheless I secured an additional €7.3m in Budget 2023, which was the single largest funding increase awarded to TG4 since its inception. This allocation included provision for the launch of the new Cúla4 children's channel in September this year.
Upon receipt of the new TG4 strategy, Coimisiún na Meán will review the adequacy of funding available to deliver on this strategy, and on receipt of An Coimisiún's review, I will consider any recommendations which might be made.
