Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2017
598. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount that has been budgeted for journalism bursaries for 2018; the number of bursaries that will be provided with this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54085/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently no provision in the Broadcasting legislation for a bursary scheme for journalists and, as such, the issue of a 2018 budget does not arise.
As the Deputy is aware, one of the amendments that I have proposed to the Broadcasting Act, 2009 is to amend the provisions of section 154 to allow for the creation of a new funding scheme that would allow the granting of bursaries to journalists in local or community radio stations. As the Deputy is also aware, the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill is currently under pre legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I look forward to receiving the Committee’s Report.
