Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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621. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the monthly updated account for the Broadcast Authority of Ireland sound and vision fund from May 2019 to May 2020 will be provided in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12941/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is responsible for the administration of the Broadcasting Fund which includes the Sound and Vision Scheme. Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the mechanism by which the BAI shall provide funding for programmes. The Sound and Vision financial accounts are published yearly in the BAI’s Annual Report, which has not yet been published in respect of 2019.  Details of all Sound and Vision rounds are available on the BAI website

In 2020, a special funding round has been made available under the Sound and Vision Scheme to support the independent commercial radio sector in its provision of public awareness and understanding of COVID-19. In total, €2.5m has been allocated to commercial radio stations and an additional round for community radio will take place over the summer.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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622. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he will take to ensure that the ratio of funds awarded from the sound and vision fund in 2020 to screen content and radio content remains at the agreed ratio of 85:15, in view of his decision to create a special radio only Covid-19 round of the fund in May 2020 at a cost of €3.25 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12942/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department provides funding of 7% of net TV Licence fee receipts to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) for the administration of the Broadcasting Fund which includes the Sound and Vision and Archiving Schemes.

BAI is responsible for the administration of the Sound and Vision scheme and the approved scheme provides that  BAI monitor the current ratio of 85:15 during the lifetime of the scheme and adjust as appropriate.  It is a matter, therefore, for the BAI to decide what proportion of funds are allocated to TV and radio.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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623. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will use his power under section 156(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to ensure that the sound and vision fund can award another round of funding in September 2020 at a minimum to screen content and radio content, respectively as per the sound and vision 4 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12943/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Broadcasting Fund, which is administered by the BAI, is funded by 7% of net licence fee receipts and supports the Archiving and Sound and Vision schemes. €7m of funding was allocated earlier this year in round 34 of Sound and Vision to 126 projects. In addition, the BAI agreed to  put in place a Covid 19 funding round (Round 35) under the Sound and Vision Scheme of €2.5m for commercial radio stations. 32 applications were received from independent commercial radio stations and evaluated according to the COVID-19 Fund assessment criteria. All 32 applications are being allocated funding. The BAI expect that most of these awards will be paid by the end of June.

The BAI will operate a round specifically for community radio stations of €750,000 over the summer months (Round 36), with funding expected to be in place by early September.

Later this year, a separate round 37 for the commercial and community television broadcasters and public service broadcasters, including RTÉ radio services will be launched and it is envisioned this will also be funded by 7% of net licence fee receipts.  Details of this round will be announced by the BAI in due course.