Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2024
894. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or her Department have been contacted or requested to develop a research proposal on developing an all-island media economy, and on maximising between public service media and public service content providers, as recommended in the Future of Media Commission report. [30819/24]
View answerThe report of the Future of Media Commission set out a need for research on developing the all-island media economy and maximising collaboration between public service media and public service content providers on an all-island basis. The Commission made a recommendation in this regard, which was accepted by Government, and which is being progressed by Coimisiún na Meán.
Preparatory discussions have been conducted, focusing on existing networks, namely the Television Broadcaster of Ireland Group (TBIG), facilitated by Coimisiún na Meán and Ofcom Northern Ireland and consisting of RTÉ, TG4, Virgin Media, BBC NI and UTV. Coimisiún na Meán is also exploring existing radio networks via Community Radio Ireland (CRAOL) and Independent Broadcasters Ireland (IBI).
An Coimisiún will then create a proposal on how to maximise collaboration on all-island basis, including, but not limited to, investigating funding resources from across Government that may be available to support research on all-island media economy, as well as assessing the possible expansion of Irish language audio-visual content production funding.
In the interim, funding is currently provided to support all-island broadcasting initiatives for the promotion of the Irish language as part of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. This provides for €1m per annum to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, via Northern Ireland Screen. This funding, provided by my Department is disbursed to independent producers for Irish language content.
