Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to provide private media companies with revenue from the broadcast charge fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38589/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The licence fee is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives.  In addition, 7% of the revenue goes towards the Broadcasting Fund, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The schemes established under this Fund provide funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, programmes to improve adult literacy, and archiving of programme material. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers and broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature.

I am very conscious that while the TV licence fee model has provided a measure of stability to date, the rapid changes in technology altering the traditional way in which television is watched, together with economic pressures generally, means that a serious question mark exists over the ability of the current funding model to be able to provide continued stable funding for public service media in the longer term. My Department is currently examining a number of actions to strengthen the current model.

The issue of funding public service media in the longer term is one that requires extensive engagement with all stakeholders including the commercial and community sectors.  With that in mind, I recently asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee to consider the issue.  I am happy to say that the Committee has responded positively to my request and has launched a public consultation and initiated engagement with all stakeholders in early November 2016.

I look forward to receiving the Committee's Report in due course which will help to inform my decisions on this important issue.