Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)

The programme for Government acknowledges that local and national independent broadcasters perform a vital public service and that this should be supported. Radio Kerry is probably one of the stations that will be tuning in this morning. This is being achieved through a range of media schemes for which local, regional, independent and community radio stations and broadcasters are eligible to apply.

A total of €6 million was provided in budget 2025 to ensure the continuation of the local democracy and courts reporting schemes, applications for which recently closed and are currently being assessed. Two new schemes have been launched this year. A total of €3 million is being provided for the digital transformation scheme, which was launched in September. It will support media organisations to innovate and transition to the digital information environment. The news reporting scheme will provide €4 million, including a ring-fenced €3 million for the commercial radio sector to support public service content that is underprovided for or at risk of underprovision. This scheme is providing an important avenue of funding in support of the provision of independent and trustworthy news and current affairs content. It will assist in promoting a plurality of voices in our media sector. Applications to the scheme closed last Thursday and are currently being assessed.

As recommended by the Future of Media Commission, Coimisiún na Meán is progressing research into current community media supports. This research will help to determine optimal supports going forward and establish the foundations on which a new scheme may be devised. The aforementioned measures are in addition to the Sound and Vision scheme operated by Coimisiún na Meán, which provided funding of more than €22.7 million in 2024 for the production of audiovisual works, of which almost €1.7 million went to commercial radio. More than €600,000 has been provided in 2025 to the commercial radio sector through the scheme.

Coimisiún na Meán will monitor the impact of each of these schemes and update them as appropriate in order to ensure they are accessible to the wider media sector and continue to deliver on intended objectives. I understand the importance of ensuring our local and regional radio stations, which are among the most trusted news sources in the country, remain viable and strong and actively contribute to a thriving and diverse media landscape.

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