Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

Scéimeanna Teanga

Ceisteanna (1)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

1. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an aontaíonn sí gurbh í Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge an uirlis ba chríochnúla a bhí ag an Stát chun tomhais a dhéanamh ar leibhéal úsáide na Gaeilge mar theanga theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht, agus go bhfuil neart fianaise ann gur spreag an scéim teaghlaigh chun cloí leis an nGaeilge mar theanga bhaile agus gur chabhraigh sí leis an nGaeilge a bhuanú mar theanga phobail, tábhacht atá aitheanta i bpleananna teanga Gaeltachta a aontaíodh lena Roinn; an aontaíonn sí gur chuir an Stát deireadh leis an scéim seo in aghaidh thoil phobal na Gaeltachta agus in aghaidh chomhairle na n-eagraíochtaí Gaeilge ag an am, lena n-áirítear moltaí an Staidéir Chuimsithigh Theangeolaíoch inar moladh an scéim a mhéadú; an aontaíonn sí go bhfuil gá anois múnla nua den scéim sin a thabhairt ar ais mar chúnamh don phróiseas pleanála teanga agus mar bhealach chun faireachán a dhéanamh ar spriocanna an Stáit maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a bhaint amach; agus an bhfuil sí sásta gníomhú chun a chinntiú go dtarlaíonn sé sin. [10696/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

Baineann an cheist seo le scéim labhairt na Gaeilge, scéim a bhí ann suas go dtí 2011. An gcreideann an tAire Stáit gur seo ceann de na scéimeanna críochnúla gur chóir go mbeadh ann chun tomhais a dhéanamh ar leibhéal na Gaeilge agus chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do theaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht?

Mar is eol don Teachta, chuirtí deontas faoi scéim labhairt na Gaeilge, arbh fhiú suas le €260 in aghaidh na bliana é, ar fáil do theaghlaigh cháilithe Ghaeltachta a bhí in ann a léiriú don Roinn gurbh í an Ghaeilge príomhtheanga labhartha bhunadh an tí acu. Tá na tacaíochtaí teanga a chuirtear ar fáil faoi chlár tacaíochtaí pobail agus teanga na Roinne, agus go deimhin faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga araon, dírithe ar thacaíochtaí ar bhonn pobalbhunaithe trí chéile seachas ar dheontais phearsanta per se. Mar sin, tá cistiú suntasach, atá ardaithe go céimiúil ó cuireadh deireadh le scéim labhairt na Gaeilge 11 bliain ó shin, á chur ar fáil ar leas na Gaeilge mar theanga teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht.

Luafainn sa chomhthéacs sin an cistiú atá á chur ar fáil ag an Roinn don eagraíocht Tuismitheoiri na Gaeltachta. Leis an gciste sin, ar fiú breis agus €1.6 milliún é thar tréimhse trí bliana faoi láthair, cuirtear clár leathan tacaíochtaí praiticiúla ar fáil atá dírithe ar thacú le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge nó ar mhian leo é sin a dhéanamh. Níor mhiste a lua go bhfuil an ciste sin deich n-oiread níos airde ná an gciste bliantúil arbh fhiú €50,000 dá fheabhas é, a chuirtí ar fáil don eagraíocht cúig bliana ó shin. Comhthreomhar leis an gciste sin, luafainn chomh maith an maoiniú suntasach atá á chur ar fáil ag an Roinn agus ag Údarás na Gaeltachta don eagraíocht Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, atá dírithe ar thacú ar bhonn níos leithne le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta a bhfuil páistí ag aois réamhscoile acu. Tá ciste ar fiú beagnach €500,000 curtha ar fáil don eagraíocht ag mo Roinn i mbliana. Tagann sin sna sála ar an gciste trí bliana arbh fhiú sa bhreis ar €1.2 milliún a cuireadh ar fáil ó 2018 go 2021.

Mar a bhaineann sé le tacú le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta tríd an ngréasán bunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta, luafainn an cistiú suntasach thar tréimhse trí bliana atá á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn chun deiseanna breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga a chur ar fáil do lucht freastail scoileanna Gaeltachta ó cheann ceann na bliana. Críochnóidh mé an freagra nuair a thiocfaidh mé ar ais.

Ceist mhór fhada a bhí ann agus tá a fhios agam go raibh roinnt di rialaithe as ord go déanach aréir. An rud a bhí i gceist sa cheist ná tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoin scéim mar a bhí sí. An gcreideann an tAire Stáit gur uirlis í a bheadh úsáideach amach anseo maidir le slat tomhais ó thaobh cé mhéad teaghlaigh atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge? An bealach é gur féidir clainne nó teaghlaigh a mhealladh chun fanacht leis an nGaeilge i gceantair Ghaeltachta atá faoi léigear ag an mBéarla nó fiú siúd atá tar éis an Ghaeilge a thréigean beagán teacht ar ais chuici? Tá na ceisteanna sin i gceist agam ach ceann de na fadhbanna atá agam ag déileáil leis an gceist seo ná go bhfuil mé de shíor ag lorg eolais ar cén chostas a bhí ann roimhe seo nuair a bhí an scéim ann. Ní raibh an Roinn in ann an méid sin a sholáthar dom roimhe seo ach b’fhéidir go mbeidh an tAire Stáit in ann a insint dom cén chostas a bhí ar an Stát nuair a fuarthas réidh léi. Ansin b’fhéidir go mbeidh muid in ann a oibriú amach an fiú í a dhéanamh arís.

Mar is eol don Teachta, cuireadh deireadh le scéim labhairt na Gaeilge in 2011. Faoin scéim sin chuirtí deontais arbh fhiú €260 in aghaidh na scoilbhliana ar fáil do theaghlaigh cháilithe Ghaeltachta a bhí in ann léiriú don Roinn gurbh í an Ghaeilge príomhtheanga labhartha an teaghlaigh. Tá an clár tacaíochtaí teaghlaigh, atá bunaithe ag mo Roinn ó 2012, dírithe ar thacaíochtaí atá pobalbhunaithe agus ní díreach ar bhonn pearsanta. Tá tacaíochtaí éagsúla ar fáil ó mo Roinn faoin gclár sin. Anuas ar sin, tá réimse tacaíochtaí ar fáil faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga agus tá cistiú suntasach ar fáil faoin gclár seo. Tá an cistiú seo ardaithe go céimiúil ó cuireadh tús leis. Mar shampla, tagraím arís don chistiú atá ar fáil do Thuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta. Leis an gcistiú sin, arbh fhiú breis agus €1.6 milliún é thar tréimhse trí bliana faoi láthair agus a ceadaíodh anuraidh, tá sé ar a chumas clár leathan tacaíochtaí praiticiúla a chur ar fáil atá dírithe ar thacú le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge nó ar mhian leo é sin a dhéanamh.

Aithním na tacaíochtaí praiticiúla a luaigh an tAire Stáit agus níl mé ag iarraidh cur as dóibh. Is anuas orthu sin a bheadh scéim labhairt na Gaeilge dá dtógfaí ar ais í. Ghlac an tAire Stáit leis, nuair a rinne sé tuarascáil taighde Thuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta a sheoladh anuraidh, go bhfuil géarchéim thromchúiseach ann i leith teangeolaíochta sa Ghaeltacht. Mar sin, tá ar an Stát díriú isteach ar conas is féidir leis teaghlaigh a mhealladh ar ais chuig an Ghaeilge, a mhealladh chun fanacht léi nó fiú siúd nach bhfuil tar éis clainne a thógáil le Gaeilge a mhealladh chun é sin a dhéanamh. Caithfear sin a dhéanamh ach go háirithe sna ceantair atá ar imeall na Gaeltachta agus atá i mbaol ón ngalldú atá ag tarlú timpeall orthu le tamall de bhlianta anois. Tá mé ag impí ar an Aire Stáit níos mó a dhéanamh agus níos mó airgid a chur sa treo sin le féachaint conas gur féidir leis fás agus conas gur féidir linn tacaíochtaí breise a thabhairt do na clainne sin.

Tá maoiniú suntasach á chur ar fáil do Chomhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, mar shampla, ó mo Roinn agus ó Údarás na Gaeltachta. Cuimsíonn an maoiniú sin dóibh tacú ar bhonn níos leithne le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta a bhfuil páistí ag aois réamhscoile acu. Tá ciste ar fiú €500,000 curtha ar fáil don eagraíocht ag mo Roinn i mbliana agus tá tuilleadh maoinithe ceadaithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá cistiú suntasach ann chun deiseanna breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga a chur ar fáil trí na gréasáin bhunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta ó cheann ceann na bliana. Tá na cistí faoi leith a chuirtear ar fáil faoi scéim na gcúntóirí teanga, clár na gcluichí Gaeltachta, clár na n-ealaíon teangabhunaithe dár teideal CUISLE, agus beartais eile nach iad san áireamh sa chiste sin. Níl ansin ach cuid den chistiú. Tá tacaíochtaí eile ábhartha nach beag iad á gcur ar fáil ag mo Roinn agus ag Údarás na Gaeltachta faoi scáth an phróisis pleanála teanga a chabhraíonn go díreach nó go hindíreach le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge mar theanga teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht. Is fiú a lua go bhfuil cistiú iomlán ar fiú €17 milliún curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn faoin gclár tacaíochtaí pobail sa phróiseas pleanála teanga.

Sports Events

Ceisteanna (2)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

2. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the Government support and resources that are being provided to a sporting organisation (details supplied) to host an event, particularly in the context of infrastructure deficits in Irish football. [10148/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (11 píosaí cainte)

In the context of what has happened in Ukraine this morning, I ask the Minister of State to give a sense of what his Department can do and what supports he can give to the Ukrainian community here in Ireland through the various organisations with which he has strong relationships.

My question relates to the proposed bid for the European championship football tournament in 2028, for which the FAI is co-bidding. What financial supports may his Department have to give in support of that bid?

Our solidarity, across Government and all Departments and agencies, goes out to the Ukrainian people after the shocking invasion we have seen overnight. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, has spoken this morning, as has the Taoiseach. All aspects of Government will be supporting the Ukrainian people and providing a humanitarian approach, where possible, but also working with our European partners on responding properly. There will be further meetings later today.

The football associations in the UK and Ireland recently indicated their intention to bid to host jointly the UEFA championships in 2028. Ireland was due to host part of the 2020 iteration of those championships. The Department worked closely with the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, in bidding for and preparing to host and I am well aware of the significance and scale of the tournament and what a positive experience it could be to host it jointly in 2028.

In terms of Government support for a potential bid to host the 2028 championships, while I and the Department are positively disposed to such a bid, we will need to have a clearer understanding of the costs and benefits of jointly hosting the event before committing to supporting a bid. To that end, the Department is engaging closely with the FAI to better evaluate the case for bidding for Euro 2028 and no commitments have been made at this point.

With regard to the Deputy's question about wider investment in sport facilities, my Department operates two schemes which provide grant assistance to sports organisations for the development and improvement of both sports stadia and facilities generally. The sports capital and equipment programme, SCEP, is the primary vehicle for Government support, with €1.1 billion being invested since 1998 and the programme for Government is committed to continuing to prioritise that investment, especially in disadvantaged areas.

In the 2020 round, there were more than 3,000 applications seeking more than €200 million in funding. On Friday, 11 February, the Minister, Deputy Martin, and I, announced 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of more than €143.8 million.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Of this amount, almost €22 million or 15% of the funding was allocated to soccer. Tolka Park stadium has benefited from a number of SCEP grants previously and any future applications would be considered in line with the relevant scoring system and assessment procedures.

Funding is also provided by my Department to sports organisations under the largescale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. The LSSIF is designed for projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals.

Dublin City Council made an application under the LSSIF for a grant towards the design work associated with the redevelopment of Dalymount Park.

A provisional grant of €918,750 was announced in January 2020 towards the overall design cost, at that time estimated at €2.45 million. The actual cost of design work is now expected to be €1,357,757 to which an amount of €509,199 will be contributed by the LSSIF.

While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the successful projects, as it is now two years since the first allocations were made and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly. Once that review is complete, the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.

The nervousness that comes in from football people, who will have different viewpoints on this, is that major infrastructural deficits exist in Irish football. There is controversy over the Dalymount Park plan that is the heartbeat of Irish football, traditionally. There is controversy over what will happen to Tolka Park. One third of all League of Ireland footballers only have a junior certificate as a qualification. This is a much-loved and very important game. It is much-loved in the more disadvantaged areas of our country, which is probably why it has been so politically powerless, traditionally. There are so many needs within this game and deficits in the relationship between the State and the football communities in Ireland that the hosting of this tournament has to be questioned. I am glad to hear the Department is questioning the FAI's approach.

There is an examination of the cost benefit which is a prudent and appropriate thing to do. We will examine the ratio to see whether any potential bid will stack up. It is important not to put the investment in facilities beside the potential investment in securing the hosting of an event which could bring a multiple of benefits to Ireland. We know major events have a positive economic benefit.

We are committed to investment in grassroots sport. In the past two weeks, we announced the single biggest historic investment in grassroots sport and a multiple increase in investment in grassroots football clubs across the country. There is a significant spectrum of investment in grassroots structures of League of Ireland clubs in the past two weeks. In terms of the largescale sports infrastructure fund, we have an ongoing investment towards the design work on Dalymount Park and there has been some drawdown of that in order that it can progress that work.

We are way over time.

I do not have sufficient time to answer.

I appreciate that. The general point is that if one thinks about where football is, its interaction with the education system is minimal compared to other codes. There is greater energy and atmosphere around the League of Ireland than there has been for a number of years. I look forward to going to Dalymount Park on Friday evening to support Bohemian FC. The infrastructure around the League of Ireland is not perfect. It is only five years since the women's team effectively went on strike because of the lack of respect it was getting from within the association. We also know of all the controversies that have taken place heretofore.

Football is so important and so powerful. We have such diverse senior teams in women's and men's sides representing this country. A Traveller woman plays for the Irish women's team and a number of lads with various ethnic backgrounds play for the senior men's team. This is an exciting time for Irish football. The issue really is that we grab that and invest in a different way than with the big prize of hosting a big tournament, the benefits of which are unknown.

In my engagement with the FAI, I am absolutely committed to strengthening the League of Ireland. A huge growth in interest has been seen, but the Deputy is correct in saying we have an infrastructure deficit to address and we have to partner with many of the clubs in trying to remedy that.

I know the Deputy has done considerable work in the context of education and how we can strengthen that pathway for players, in parallel with the League of Ireland. I am committed to doing much work there and I am absolutely committed to trying to strengthen both the grassroots aspect of football and the League of Ireland infrastructure which needs investment. That is why we see funding streams, even through the large-scale sports infrastructure fund. Work is ongoing there and I accept we need to do more.

However, it is not a question of either-or. Potentially hosting a major event could bring significant economic benefit to the country. There could be huge North-South and east-west benefits. I argue there is scope to explore both properly in order that it has a meaningful impact-----

-----on the broader economy but also on our commitment to developing League of Ireland infrastructure.

Táimid thar am. Tá mé ag bogadh ar aghaidh.

Arts Policy

Ceisteanna (3)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

3. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 8 February 2022, the time, date and the details of discussions she and her Department have had with the Minister for Social Protection and her Department specifically on the impact of the proposed basic income for artists pilot scheme for artists with disabilities; and if she will work closely with the Minister for Social Protection to ensure that the needs of artists with disabilities are fully taken into account prior to the roll-out of the basic income for artists. [10697/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

This question is to give an account of the discussions to date with the Minister for Social Protection and her Department on the impact of her proposed basic income for artists pilot scheme on artists with disability and if she will work closely with the Minister to ensure the needs of artists with disabilities are fully taken into account prior to the roll-out of the basic income scheme for artists.

Before I answer, I acknowledge the devastating developments overnight in Ukraine. As the Minister, Deputy Coveney, said earlier, we utterly condemn this act of unjustifiable war and our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Ukraine.

The basic income for the arts pilot scheme will run over a three-year period and the intention is to research the impact a basic income would have on artists' and creatives' work patterns by providing the opportunity to participants to focus on their practice and to minimise the loss of skills from the arts, as a result of the pandemic. Stakeholder engagement has been core to the policy development process and this included a stakeholder forum on 15 December 2021 and a public consultation throughout January.

The impact of such a scheme on artists with disabilities is a theme that has been raised throughout the consultation and I can assure the Deputy that it is a matter I take very seriously. I want to ensure that all artists, including those with a disability, can apply to participate in the pilot.

The Department of Social Protection was a member of the oversight group I established last year tasked with appraising the recommendations set out in the Life Worth Living report. That group met eight times last year and the Department of Social Protection attended each of those meetings. In addition, an interdepartmental working group, including the Department of Social Protection, was established to support the work of the oversight group. It met seven times last year and the Department of Social Protection attended each of those meetings.

In addition, bilateral engagement between the two Departments on the treatment of the basic income for the arts payment has been ongoing, with at least seven meetings over the past number of months.

In particular, discussions around the treatment of the grant payment for the purposes of income disregards across a number of social welfare schemes, including disability allowance, are ongoing.

I assure the Deputy that the issue of artists with disabilities is something on which I am focused. I believe the basic income for the arts has the potential to help artists and creative arts workers with disabilities overcome labour market barriers by creating a self-sustaining creative practice operating on a self-employed basis.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. It is interesting there have been eight meetings between both Departments, or at least that the Department of Social Protection was in attendance at seven of the eight meetings that were held. That is good news. It is to be hoped progress is being made because it can have a devastating effect on people with disabilities. Many questions need to be answered regarding other artists; those are for another day.

The focus today is specifically on artists with disabilities who are concerned that if this scheme is rolled out, they will be sidelined or discriminated against by the potential that a means test or income disregard does not take full account of their circumstances. A suspension of the means test for the period of the three years of the pilot would probably be a better approach in their instances rather than an income disregard.

I am determined to ensure the voices of artists and art workers are heard in the development and delivery of supports to the sector. In terms of the basic income for the arts pilot scheme, as the Deputy will know, this recommendation arose from the recommendation from the arts and culture recovery task force and is subject to ongoing consultation. I believe the whole process must be based on that consultation because it is a game changer for the arts community.

A wide range of issues with regard to the operation of the proposed scheme, including the issue of artists with disabilities, have been raised in the context of this consultative process. These are now being considered by my Department in the context of finalising the scheme.

I appreciate this issue has been raised by Deputy Ó Snodaigh and others, including Deputy Hourigan. I assure the Deputy there is ongoing engagement at present across government and, as I said, with the Department of Social Protection, on all the relevant issues related to this proposal, as there has been since the outset of this process. I intend to launch the scheme and all details with regard to its operation shortly.

I welcome the Minister's commitment and that of others such as my colleague, Deputy Kerrane, who also raised questions on this issue.

When will the discussions conclude? This scheme was supposed to be rolled out early in the first quarter. We are past the early part of the first quarter at this stage. The discussions around this issue need to conclude in order that reassurances can be given to those artists who wish to avail of the scheme or allow them at least to put their names forward and, it is hoped, be part of the pilot, in particular those who are struggling not only with low incomes anyway but also the additional challenges a disability would raise. They are the ones who have raised this issue with me continually and who feel they may be excluded or sidelined and lose their medical card or some of the other benefits that help them ease the burden of a disability.

I thank the Deputy. I am seeking to bring this to a conclusion and hope to be able to launch it shortly. As I said, however, it is such a groundbreaking initiative and a game changer. My focus is on getting it right and on the consultation with the very voices the Deputy said must be heard. It will be a three-year pilot, as promised. I am determined to get it right and that the consultation is at the heart of the process. I will get it out as soon as possible but, as I said, the consultation is key to this to make sure that when we roll out such a groundbreaking initiative, it addresses all the issues like those raised by the Deputy.

Question No. 4 replied to with Written Answers.

Television Licence Fee

Ceisteanna (5)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

5. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address reports that she intends to make changes to the television licence fee collection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10695/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

Will the Minister comment on reports that she intends to make changes to the television licence fee collection, and will she make a statement on the matter?

A healthy, independent and well-functioning media system is critical to our democracy, providing a platform for diverse opinion, challenge and debate. It is also of key importance for our cultural vibrancy and development, not least in supporting Irish content in a globalised marketplace.

Recognising this vital role played by the wider media sector in our society and the fact the media system as a whole is under severe financial pressure, the Government established the Future of Media Commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, to consider the way forward at a time of profound change and significant challenges. As such, the commission's task was a complex one, with a remit that was broader than simply examining the funding of public service broadcasting.

This is about putting in place a sustainable framework for the wider media sector: print, radio and all other platforms. It is about enabling greater accessibility, equality, diversity and inclusivity in the media, supporting environmental sustainability, and the promotion of our language, culture and creativity.

On the question of future funding, the commission was asked to examine how public service media can be funded in a way that is sustainable, gives greater security to the sector, ensures independent editorial oversight and delivers value for money. Given the wide-ranging and far-reaching recommendations the commission has addressed, it is only right we give the report very careful and detailed consideration. The commission's work must also be considered in the context of a range of other complex and interrelated issues that will require decisions by Government in the media and wider digital space. These include the recently published national digital strategy, the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill and Ireland's approach to the implementation of the forthcoming Digital Services Act.

I met with Professor MacCraith on a number of occasions since the commission was established, including since the commission's report was finalised. I also recently met with an Taoiseach and other Cabinet colleagues as part of our collective examination of the commission's report. It is intended that the Future of Media Commission report will be brought to Cabinet in the coming weeks, following which it will be published.

With regard to the current funding model, public sector broadcasting is funded by revenues from the TV licence fee and the Exchequer, with An Post the designated collection agent for the TV licence fee. This will continue until such time as the Government may decide on an alternative funding model.

As the Minister said, the Future of Media Commission was initially set up to look at the TV licence and then it was expanded. The commission reported last July but the Minister has had that report now since last October and it still has not been published.

Those of us who are not in Government have been working from leaks in the media. We learned from one of the leaks that apparently the commission recommended the licence fee be funded through the Exchequer, but apparently this was rejected by Government backbenchers. Then, last week, it was reported that the Government intends to change the licence fee collection agent from An Post to Revenue. Will the Minister please clarify if these leaks are accurate?

To clarify, the commission completed its work and, last September, the detailed report was submitted to the Taoiseach and me. It contains recommendations on a wide range of issues. I am not going to comment on the content of that report until it comes to Cabinet, but I will say there are far-reaching recommendations that require we give them appropriate consideration. They cannot be considered in isolation, however. As I said, the report is one of a number of developments taking place in the media and digital space that need to be considered in the round. These include the recently published national digital strategy entitled Harnessing Digital: The Digital Ireland Framework, and Ireland's approach to the implementation of the forthcoming Digital Services Act.

As the Deputy knows, we are progressing our Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. The report is with me and the Taoiseach. As I said, we met recently with some Cabinet colleagues to consider that. Our ambition is to bring it forward as soon as possible.

I am sure the Minister recognises it is important we have sight of the report for many reasons. We need to be able to debate and scrutinise any changes to the licence fee. We cannot do that without seeing the rationale of the commission in making its recommendations.

Can I get a commitment that the Government will not increase the cost of the licence fee when we are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis? Will the Minister confirm she intends to remove the contract for collection from An Post? That is a particularly worrying scenario given An Post and post offices across the State are on their knees. Will the licence fee or levy seek to direct funding to support local and national print media?

I thank the Deputy. I cannot comment on the recommendations of the report until it comes to the Cabinet. As I said, I discussed the matter with the Taoiseach and with Cabinet colleagues quite recently, even this week. I expect it will be brought to all of the Cabinet in the coming weeks. My ambition, as well as that of the Taoiseach, is to publish that report as soon as possible. None of what has been in the newspapers has been verified by the Taoiseach’s Department or my Department. I have read much about what is seemingly in the recommendations. However, as I said, that has not been verified by the Taoiseach’s Department or by me. I even noted reports at the weekend that the Oireachtas joint committee’s position seems to be one that is supporting a household charge. None of these leaks has been verified by anyone. It needs, deserves and is worthy of proper consultation. It is my ambition and it is the Taoiseach’s ambition to publish it as soon as possible.

Barr
Roinn