Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 611: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will confirm receipt of an application through Pobal for funding for a community radio project (details supplied); the procedures involved in securing funding through Pobal; the amount of funding available; the role of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland in respect of these community radio licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12085/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can confirm that an 'expression of interest' has been received from this group under the 2007 Community Services Programme in respect of the community media scheme. The procedure involved in making an application for funding under this scheme has two stages:

(1) Expression of Interest — applicants are requested to submit an expression of interest to their local intermediaries (i.e. Leader, Partnership Co. etc.). They select the groups which are then forwarded to Pobal to carry out an appraisal of each applicant. When the appraisals are completed, they are then passed to my Department for a decision as to whether they are to proceed to business planning stage.

(2) Business Plan — the groups who are successful at stage 1 of the process are requested to prepare business plans, which are then appraised by Pobal who make recommendations to my Department, which ultimately decides on the groups to be funded.

The group's application is currently under consideration as to whether they can proceed to the business planning stage.

The maximum amount of funding under this scheme is approx. €100,000 p.a. Applicants must hold a broadcasting licence before they are granted funding by my Department. The granting of broadcasting licences is a matter for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.