Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
803. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he plans to take to support the independent radio and audio producers sector; the reason for excluding the sector from round 36 funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11637/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is vital that the Irish public have a readily available, reliable source of information on COVID 19 and the measures being put in place to tackle the crisis, and the radio sector has played a valuable role in this regard.
At my request, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) agreed to waive levy payments for the independent radio sector in quarters 1 and 2 2020, which will save the sector €1m. This waiver covers all independent radio stations at national, regional and local level.
The BAI also agreed to my request that they put in place a Covid 19 funding round (Round 35) under the Sound and Vision Scheme of €2.5m for commercial radio stations. The BAI received a total of 32 applications from independent commercial radio stations across the country. The applications were evaluated according to the COVID-19 Fund assessment criteria, and all 32 applications are being allocated funding.
The BAI will operate a round specifically for community radio stations of €750,000 over the summer months (Round 36), and later this year, a separate round 37 for the commercial and community television broadcasters and public service broadcasters, including RTÉ radio services.
The primary focus of these efforts has been to support broadcasting stations, so that they can produce or commission content for the benefit of their audience and the independent production sector. In addition, I understand that independent radio and audio producers will be eligible to apply for round 37. Details of this round will be announced by the BAI in due course.
