Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 September 2020
61. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Líonraí Cumarsáide cén tacaíocht a thabharfaidh sí do staisiúin raidió chun an Ghaeilge labhartha a chur chun cinn agus seirbhísí trí mheán na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil don phobal teanga, go háirithe sa Ghaeltacht. [23121/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the regulatory framework for the provision of Irish language content on broadcasting services, in particular Sections 114 and 118.
The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 set out a number of commitments to promote broadcasting through Irish. For example, increasing the Broadcasting Fund from 5% to 7% of licence fee funding has benefited independent productions in the Irish language with TG4 one of the main beneficiaries. To support the 20-year Irish Language Strategy, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht published a 5-year Action Plan (2018-2022) in July 2018. RTE and TG4 have delivered a wide range of commitments over the course of the Strategy to date. Under RTÉ's 5 year Irish language action plan, RTÉ moved the language into the digital arena, launching the Irish Language Radio app. TG4 have launched a redesigned website with major new features for national and global users along with children’s channel Cúla4 and equivalent app. Through its digital-first content brands, TG4 targets two strategic demographics, namely, core Irish language audience (Molscéal) and online youth audience (BLOC). In 2020, an additional €10m exchequer funding was provided for broadcasting of which RTÉ will receive €9.3m. TG4 was allocated current expenditure of €34.233m and capital expenditure of €3m in 2020. This reflects a €1m increase in capital allocation for 2020.
The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has been funding Raidó Rí-Rá since its inception in 2008. Funding of €75,000 was approved for 2020 and 2021. Capital funding of € 9,963 was provided to Raidió na Life this year. Under Part 6 of Act the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) facilitate the licensing of commercial and community radio stations, When assessing licensing applications the BAI must have regard to the provision of Irish language content. In the course of the contractual negotiations, applicants put forward commitments for a range of broadcast issues, including the provision of Irish language content. Where applicable, Irish language commitments form part of a broadcaster’s individual broadcasting contract and are monitored by the BAI on an on-going basis to ensure compliance.
