Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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196. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of Bills in his Department awaiting Committee Stage. [50543/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There is currently one Bill in my Department which is awaiting committee stage. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2019 (No. 64 of 2019) which was published on 31 July 2019 is currently before Dáil Éireann and awaiting a date for Committee Stage.The Broadcasting Amendment Bill 2019 provides for:

- the part funding of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) through TV licence receipts so as to reduce the levy burden on broadcasters;

- the creation of a new funding scheme that would allow the granting of bursaries to journalists in local or community radio stations;

- the BAI to retain part of the levy to fund its working capital requirements and allows the BAI the scope to determine exemptions and deferrals to the levy.

In addition, I have received Government approval to bring an amendment at Committee stage that will allow TV licence collection to be put out to public tender.