Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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36. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources to ensure greater investment in independent television production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20007/18]

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 2017, RTE  spent €39.7m on independent productions. A total of 726 hours (251 radio, 475 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 2017, the broadcaster spent over €21.6m on independent productions, which was 88% of its annual programme budget for that year.

I intend to bring proposals to Government in response to the Committee's report shortly.