Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
489. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the options that exist for independent media, such as a media outlet (details supplied) and local and community radio, to access public funding for the development and broadcasting of public service programming; if he has future plans to expand such programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73336/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of quality public service content is not just the preserve of public service media. Our media landscape benefits from a plurality of voices and trusted sources, which enhance democratic participation and ensure that we maintain and promote an independent media that is reflective of contemporary Irish society.
The Programme for Government acknowledges that local and national independent broadcasters perform a vital public service and deserve to have this recognised.
2025 saw a suite of funding schemes rolled out to promote and preserve the viability of of public service content providers.
The Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes provided €5.7m in total funding earlier this year for the media sector, the majority of which was awarded to local print media. A second funding round was announced in August of year, which will make a further €6m available to the sector, with funding decisions to be announced by An Coimisiún in due course.
In addition to this, the €4m News Reporting Scheme and the €3m Digital Transformation Scheme were introduced in 2025 to support public interest journalism and to assist in the transition to a more digital media environment, enhancing the viability of our local and independent media. The News Reporting Scheme comprises a further €3m in ring-fenced funding for the commercial radio sector, which are among the most trusted sources of news in the country, to ensure the continued provision of transparent, trusted and independent public service content.
Furthermore, in November of this year Coimisiún na Meán launched a new €3m funding scheme to support news and current affairs on commercial television. The measure will support public service content that informs and educates viewers and empowers democratic discourse.
In Budget 2026, I secured €19m in Exchequer funding for the continuation and enhancement of the aforementioned schemes. €6m was secured to maintain the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes and €4m for the Digital Transformation Scheme, an increase of €1m.
The News Reporting Scheme will also receive an increase of €1m in funding, taking the total available under that scheme to €5m inclusive of ring-fenced funding of €3m for commercial radio. A further €3m was secured to ensure the continuation of the scheme to support news and current affairs on commercial television.
€1m was secured in Budget 2026 for the development of a Community Media Scheme. This reflects the invaluable role that community media plays in community engagement, cohesion, and in the promotion of social inclusion in communities across the State. Coimisiún na Meán are progressing a body of research into current community media supports. This research, when complete, will inform future policy decisions taken including in relation to the design and implementation of the Community Media Scheme. The research will also look at ways to ensure community media are well positioned to access schemes on a more even playing field with larger media counterparts.
In addition to the €19m for the aforementioned schemes, funding of €1.465m was secured for the Sound and Vision Scheme, which provides ongoing vital support TV and radio broadcasters and which will be added to the estimated €14m that the Scheme is likely to receive through the TV licence fee in 2026.
The suite of Schemes now in operation under the Media Fund cater to all parts of the media sector, including supporting the provision of high-quality public interest journalism through the Local Democracy, Courts Reporting and News Reporting Schemes, along with supporting the ability of the sector to invest in digital skills and development through the Digital Transformation Scheme. These supports are in addition to the existing Sound and Vision Scheme, which continues to provide valuable support to both TV and radio broadcasters in the creation of culturally relevant public service content.
A thriving, diverse and independent media is essential for the health of our democracy. These schemes aim to ensure the vitality and plurality of our media sector at local, regional and national level in the context of challenges posed by the rapidly changing media landscape.
