Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My local radio station, WLR FM, is offering media training for five voluntary groups across Waterford in the coming weeks. WLR FM has been running a broadcasting course for up-and-coming journalists in Waterford for the past 25 years or so. It is the type of initiative we need to see more funding for. Given that we have elections on the horizon, we need to look at the scope for increased funding. Some months ago, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, said the €6 million being provided for courts and public service reporting was going to be made available. I am rather disappointed the money has still not been provided. As the Minister knows, the journalism sector received Government support in the form of a VAT cut but the radio sector has been waiting for some time to see this public money. I ask her to look at that and whether there is scope for increasing that funding.

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