Written answers

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Community Radio Stations Funding

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that community radio stations make a huge contribution to life in local areas across the country and that they are currently struggling to survive due to both the present economic climate and the many cutbacks to funding, his plans to address the shortfall in their funding and to offer a more substantial level of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19945/14]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I wish to acknowledge at the outset the contribution of the independent radio sector in bringing diversity to the airwaves, and serving the needs of communities, often at a very local level. That said, however, it needs to be borne in mind that these stations were established as commercial entities. Station owners sought and accepted licences on clear terms; terms which included a limited amount of ‘public service’ type content. Moreover, in many cases, their success in the licence application process was assisted by the voluntary commitments they gave in regard to the provision of public service type content, over and above that required by the relevant legislation.

The licences were accepted in full knowledge of the current system of public funding. The fact that some of these stations are now undergoing a degree of financial stress is regrettable and a cause for concern but it does not mean that the State should step in and provide funding – they are and remain commercial enterprises. The rationale for providing State funding for the Public Service Broadcasters is to provide an independent and reliable income flow that allows these corporations to attain their statutory public service objects while ensuring they can maintain editorial independence. This is especially important in the context of news and current affairs.

Over the last number of years, there have been calls from a wide range of media organisations in relation to the future distribution of licence fee funding. Before considering any wider distribution of public funds than that which applies at present, I would have to be convinced that such a distribution would represent a sound proposition in terms of policy for the sector and would not be to the ultimate disadvantage of our Public Service Broadcasters. Even if I were minded to provide public monies to private investors, EU State Aid rules would apply. It is categorically not possible for the State to simply decide to fund a set of incumbent licence holders during a licence period.

Additionally, the independent radio stations receive a significant amount of publicly funded support from the Broadcasting Funding Scheme. This Scheme is currently funded by way of a set proportion of net television licence fee. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is assigned responsibility under Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 for the administration of the Scheme.

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