Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his policy in the area of local radio broadcasting. [40434/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Government policy in relation to the area of local radio broadcasting is set out in the Broadcasting Act, 2009. This recognises the continued importance and need for community broadcasting, and provides for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, to prepare a scheme for the granting of funds to support certain categories of new sound broadcasting programmes. One of the objectives of the scheme is to develop local and community broadcasting. The funds are granted through the Broadcasting Fund which is administered by the BAI. Under the 2009 Act the allocation for the Fund was increased from 5% to 7% of net television licence fee receipts.

The Act also requires the BAI to facilitate the transmission of community broadcasting services by entering into "community content provision contracts" with community interests. The BAI may also, of its own initiative, or at the request of a local community or a community interest, carry out an assessment of the needs of a community in respect of broadcasting. My colleague the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs oversees the Community Services Programme, which can also provide funding to community radio.

The Broadcasting Act also sets out the conditions under which licences are granted. Responsibility for the award of sound broadcasting contracts to radio stations, including local radio stations, rests with the BAI. Further information on such issues is obtainable from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Appropriate information and contact details are on their website www.bai.ie.