Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1000. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the changes he is planning on making to the funding of public broadcasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33581/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I recognise the important part that public service broadcasters play in our democratic society and the consequent importance of stable and adequate funding to ensure the continued delivery of their role in this regard.

While the TV Licence system faces a range of challenges, including the current unacceptable levels of evasion, my Department is continuing to work with An Post and RTÉ so that all steps are being taken to ensure that, to the extent possible, it continues to deliver the necessary levels of public funding.

As the Deputy is aware, I have obtained Government approval to proceed with the drafting of a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009 including amendment of the provisions of the Act relating to the broadcasting levy to alleviate the burden on broadcasters. I also intend to introduce a new funding scheme to offer bursaries to journalists working in local or community radio stations and to provide for tendering for TV Licence fee collection.  The proposed amendments are currently being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.

As the Deputy is also aware, I have requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of the public service media. The Committee's work is on going and a very useful consultative forum on this important topic was hosted by the Committee on 7 July. I am confident that its review will be comprehensive and thorough and will involve due consideration of all relevant issues. I very much look forward to receiving the Committee’s report in due course, which will inform future funding policy for public service broadcasting.