Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding options available to support community radio stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3810/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Community radio stations in Ireland receive funding from various sources, including funds derived from donations, advertising and sponsorship. In terms of public funding, the Broadcasting Funding Scheme is a significant source of support. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is assigned responsibility under Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 for the administration of the Scheme which aims, inter alia, to develop local and community broadcasting by providing funding for the provision of high quality, diverse and innovative programming by community broadcasters. In addition, the BAI operates the Community Broadcasting Support Scheme, a development fund, which allows community radio stations to conduct evaluations of their activities. The scheme provides funding for stations to carry out key review work to assist with their overall performance and to build capacity. Further information is available on the BAI website: