Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:634. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason she is not satisfied to provide funding for groups (details supplied). [22413/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 22 May 2018
Ceisteanna (634)
Freagraí scríofa
I should clarify that provision of support for Irish language newspapers and magazines is an operational matter for Foras na Gaeilge in the first instance.
My understanding is that Foras na Gaeilge’s current policy, following a review of funding provided to the Irish language print media sector, is focused on optimising the readership for an Irish language news service and other magazines by making the content available free of charge online. In that context, a four year contract worth €1.2m was awarded under the Online Irish Language Newspaper Scheme to Tuairisc.ie for the provision of a free online weekly newspaper. In addition to this, a three year contract valued at €254,814 was awarded under the Irish Language Lifestyle Magazine Scheme to NÓS for the provision of a free online monthly lifestyle magazine, while a three year contract worth €360,000 was awarded under the Irish Magazine Scheme to Comhar to provide a free online literary and current affairs publication.
It is clear that reading habits have changed dramatically in recent years. The continuing trends of falling newspaper and magazine sales generally and the increasing popularity of free of charge content online have had an impact on Irish language publications also. The advent of the digital era in particular and the obvious advantages attaching to instantaneous updating and lower distribution and production costs, bring major implications for media in the future.
I am pleased to learn that results in relation to take up of these publications have been very positive. However, I should add that, as these contracts will expire at the end of 2018, Foras na Gaeilge is currently carrying out an appraisal of its existing schemes.
The following revised reply was received on 29 May 2018
I should clarify that provision of support for Irish language newspapers and magazines is an operational matter for Foras na Gaeilge in the first instance.
My understanding is that Foras na Gaeilge’s current policy, following a review of funding provided to the Irish language print media sector, is focused on optimising the readership for an Irish language news service and other magazines by making the content available free of charge online. In that context, a four year contract worth €1.2m was awarded under the Online Irish Language Newspaper Scheme to Tuairisc.ie for the provision of a free online weekly newspaper. In addition to this, a three year contract valued at €254,814 was awarded under the Irish Language Lifestyle Magazine Scheme to NÓS for the provision of a free online monthly lifestyle magazine, while a three year contract worth €360,000 was awarded under the Irish Magazine Scheme to Comhar to provide a literary and current affairs publication.
It is clear that reading habits have changed dramatically in recent years. The continuing trends of falling newspaper and magazine sales generally and the increasing popularity of free of charge content online have had an impact on Irish language publications also. The advent of the digital era in particular and the obvious advantages attaching to instantaneous updating and lower distribution and production costs, bring major implications for media in the future.
I am pleased to learn that results in relation to take up of these publications have been very positive. However, I should add that, as these contracts will expire at the end of 2018, Foras na Gaeilge is currently carrying out an appraisal of its existing schemes.