Written Answers. - Teilifís na Gaeilge.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
110
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht
the original estimated cost of the establishment and running costs of Teilifís na Gaeilge to date; the actual costs in this regard; the reason for any variance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12507/97]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
111
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht
the total moneys allocated to date to Teilifís na Gaeilge; whether EU moneys have been obtained in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12508/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
On 7 December 1993 and 20 January 1995 the Government decided on the costs and funding of Teilifís na Gaeilge. The total capital cost of the construction of the transmitter network, the link network and the presentation and programme transmission facilities was estimated at £16,100,000. The capital programme has been funded in the main from the Exchequer and from moneys accumulated and retained by RTE in excess of the revenue limit imposed by the broadcasting Act, 1990 i.e. the "cap" moneys. In 1995 and 1996 RTE received grants-in-aid from the Vote of my Department of £3,600,000 and £12,200,000 respectively. The balance of £300,000 is funded from the "cap" moneys. RTE reports that cumulative expenditure on the capital project to 10 April 1997 amounts to just under £16 million.
Regarding the running costs of Teilifís na Gaeilge, in 1994, a grant of over £565,000 was paid to RTE from the Vote of my Department. In respect of 1995, in accordance with the Government decision of 20 January 1995, a grant-in-aid of £2,500,000 was paid to RTE. The Government also decided that in 1996 a contribution of £10,000,000 would be made — £3,250,000 by way of grant-in-aid and the balance from the "cap" money's retained by RTE — and that in 1997 and thereafter the Exchequer would contribute £10,000,000 annually for running costs adjusted upwards to take account of the fact that the original estimates were at 1993-94 prices. In 1997 a grant-in-aid of £10,204,000 is provided for and to date £1,500,000 of this has been paid to RTE in respect of the running costs of Teilifís na Gaeilge.
The moneys allocated to Teilifís na Gaeilge do not include any EU moneys.
