Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
11. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that she has put in place to secure the viability of the local print and radio media here; her plans to support the local print and radio media here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47953/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local media sector has faced a fall in revenue arising from the pandemic, but also faces longer term challenges as a result of changing patterns of media consumption, technology and shifts in advertising revenue to online services. I recognise the essential role that the local media plays and the particular value of local and regional newspapers and radio stations, including community radio, in sharing reliable and relevant local news and bringing communities together.
The Future of Media Commission was tasked with bringing forward recommendations to put media on a sustainable footing over the next decade. It has engaged comprehensively with stakeholders, including local media. The Taoiseach and I have received the Report and are currently considering its contents and the Report will be brought to Government for consideration in due course.
In terms of supports for the local print sector, I understand that at least €4.4 million was spent by Government on regional and local print advertising from March 2020 to April 2021. Recently, my Department's campaign for Cruinniú na nÓg included a spend of €187,000 on local print advertising.
In relation to the local radio sector, I allocated €4.9m in additional funding to the Sound and Vision Scheme administered by the BAI in December 2020. This enabled a specific round of €2.48m for the independent and local radio sector which was distributed in April 2021. This funding, which is Round 39 of the Sound and Vision 4 scheme, was in addition to a similar funding round of Sound and Vision that took place in 2020, together with a waiver of the broadcasting levy for the first half of the year, which was worth €1m to the sector.
Moreover, Government COVID-related advertising spend provided an additional €1.8m to the sector in Q1 2021 and 17 radio stations availed of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) receiving a total of €1.5m in Q1 of this year.
The BAI will continue to report to me on the financial status of the sector in the coming months.
