Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support local newspapers in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37399/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, in recognition of the importance of a sustainable Irish media sector, 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. The Commission is chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, former President of Dublin City University, and includes experts in public service media, independent journalism, social media, new technology platforms, media economics, culture, language, creative content, governance and international best practice.

The Commission has held their first two meetings on 29th October and 12th November.  They intend to launch a public consultation in the coming weeks and will engage with key stakeholders in the coming months.

In parallel with the commencement of this important work, the Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which are also available to the print and online sectors. The production and publication of newspapers, journals and periodicals and the distribution of those publications has been listed as an essential service. 

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