Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. At a time of misinformation and disinformation, and at a time that is so often amplified online, the importance of quality media and public service broadcasting has never been so valid. That includes RTÉ and national media but also includes local media, including local broadcasters and newspapers, many of which employ a lot of people and many of which are struggling financially at the moment.

The Deputy mentioned the recommendation from the Future of Media Commission to establish a new media fund through which a wider range of outlets and platforms could be supported in the provision of public service content. A total of €6 million is being allocated in the budget, through the appropriations Bill that was approved by the Cabinet today, to establish this fund on an administrative basis. Priority is being given to two projects the Deputy mentioned. One is local democracy reporting and the other is courts reporting. Courts reporting will enable local media to cover what is going on in the District Court in particular in their own localities, and the local democracy reporting scheme will be there to cover what goes on, for example, at council meetings and other important local events. A total of €6 million has been allocated for this to be established next year.

The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and Coimisiún na Meán are developing these schemes. This has to be notified to the European Commission because there may be an issue with state aid and Government subsidies. We do not think this will be a big problem but because it involves a Government subsidy or Government state aid to private business it has to be done. Subject to state aid approval, these two new schemes will be in place in 2024 with a budget of €6 million to back them. We hope to have them in place, if at all possible, before the local and European elections next June.

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