Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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522. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports available to free local newspapers under level 5 restrictions in order to ensure that they can survive the lockdown period in view that advertising is the sole income available to newspapers of this type and advertising revenue will collapse under Level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32523/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses which are available to the print and online media sectors during health restrictions imposed by Covid-19. The production and publication of newspapers, journals and periodicals and the distribution of those publications has been listed as an essential service.

The new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, expanded the remit of the Public Service Broadcasting Commission to become the Future of Media Commission, tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. On 29 September 2020 the Government agreed the terms of reference and membership of the Future of Media Commission.

I look forward to receiving the Commission's Report on completion of its work which will inform media policy, including the print media.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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526. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will suspend the reimposed BAI levy which averages at €2,500 per month for a local radio station (details supplied); if she will consider providing the reintroduction of another BAI Sound & Vision scheme to support Covid-19 related programming on the station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32579/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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In recognition of the impact of COVID-19, the BAI levy was waived for the independent radio sector for Quarters 1 and 2 2020. No waivers were applied to television broadcasters and the radio sector waiver has not been extended into Q3/4. While there are no plans for further waivers at this time, the BAI is continuing to monitor and report to me on the financial impacts of COVID-19 on the commercial radio sector.I secured €839k in the recent budget for BAI to recoup the cost of the waiver.

In addition, in recognition of the on going challenges faced by the sector, I secured an additional €2m in Exchequer funding for the Sound and Vision Scheme under the July Jobs Stimulus Package. This greatly enhanced the funding available for the final round of the Scheme this year (round 37), bringing its total value to €4.5m. The purpose of the Sound and Vision Scheme is to support eligible content across the broadcasting sector as a whole, ensuring a balanced and fair approach. This funding round is open to those elements of the radio sector that were not eligible for the rounds to commercial and community radio earlier in the year, namely independent audio producers and public service radio. In addition, the round is open to independent audio visual producers, and commercial, community and public service television stations.

The BAI are currently assessing the applications with an announcement on awards expected shortly. Additional information is available at .

The details of funding rounds to be held in 2021 are a matter for the BAI to decide, and these will be announced in the course of the year.

In addition to these measures the radio sector has access to the range of Government supports put in place for businesses due to Covid 19 including, for example, the Wage Subsidy Scheme.