Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his intentions for the distribution of the television licence reserve fund; the full extent of this fund to date in 2005; if he expects to bring in the necessary legislation to deal with this issue in early course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34480/05]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 provides that the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland prepare a scheme or schemes for the funding of grants to support certain television and radio programmes.

The EU Commission recently notified Ireland of its decision that it considers the scheme to be compatible with the relevant provisions of the EU Treaty. I subsequently wrote to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland approving the scheme entitled "Sound & Vision" which has now been launched. The amount payable annually to the fund under section 4(2) of the Broadcasting (Funding) Act 2003 is equal to 5% of net receipts of broadcasting licence fees. The fund now stands at in excess of €23 million.