Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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405. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to implement the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to ensure greater investment in independent television production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20040/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I requested the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of public service media. The Committee published their report at the end of November 2017. The findings of the report were debated in the Dáil on 29 March, 2018.

Both Public Service Broadcasters spend millions of euro each year on independently produced programming. This is vital in supporting a vibrant independent sector, including in the regions.

As the Deputy may be aware, Section 116 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that RTÉ make specific amounts available each year for the commissioning of television and radio programmes from the independent production sector. In 2016, it spent €39.6m on independent productions. A total of 719 hours (300 radio, 419 television) were commissioned across a range of programme categories.

In addition, TG4 commissions the majority of its Irish language programmes from independent production companies throughout Ireland. In 2016, the broadcaster spent over €22.5m on independent productions, which was 90% of its annual programme budget for that year.

In order to sustain and increase the amount spent on independent productions, additional resources are required for public service broadcasting. This means that the current evasion rate in respect of the TV licence fee must be addressed and I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly in this regard.