In making its recommendations on the future funding of public service media, the Future of Media Commission (FOMC) set out recommended funding levels for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, the latter amounting to €292.7m. It must be noted that these recommendations were made three years ago in 2021, and did not specify an amount in respect of 2024.
The 2024 Exchequer provision for public service media includes €69.8m in respect of free TV licences awarded to recipients of DSP Household Benefits Packages, €57.033m for TG4 (some €8m above the level set by FOMC three years ago) and €6m in respect of the new Media Fund so that two of the six new funding schemes which the Commission also recommended can be commenced. In addition, provision for up to €40m in interim Exchequer funding for RTÉ has been provided for this year.
Regardless of what decision Government may make on the future funding model it is important to remember that any reform will require legislative change and therefore, will not happen overnight. In the interim, it is important that people continue to pay their TV licence in order to support the continuance of our public service broadcasters and enable the production of content and services that are so valuable to our democracy and society as a whole.
