Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

989. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider urging the BAI to set homegrown production targets for home produced programmes to be broadcast with audio description as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4594/20]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

990. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider allocating a proportion of the television licence fee to be spent on production of audio description for home produced programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4595/20]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 989 and 990 together.

Under Section 43(1)(c)of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) are required to publish Access Rules for broadcasters with respect to the specific steps each broadcaster is required to take to promote the understanding and enjoyment of television by people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted. The Access Rules apply to broadcasters within the jurisdiction of Ireland and set out obligations on broadcasters in respect of the provision of subtitling, Irish Sign Language( ISL) and audio description.

The 2019 Rules include revised subtitling targets for a number of broadcasting services and specific ISL and audio description targets have been identified for each broadcast service. The BAI monitor compliance with the access rules on a regular basis.