Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

36. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will review the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland levy in view of the continued lower income levels of independent radio stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37287/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland waived the levy for the independent radio sector in quarters 1 and 2 saving the sector €1m.  I secured €839,000 in Budget 2021 to recoup the BAI for the waiver.

Additional supports were put in place from the Sound and Vision Scheme which is funded from the TV Licence fee.  There was a special Covid round for the commercial radio of €2.5m with all 32 applicants getting assistance. €750,000 was also provided for the community radio sector.  The BAI is currently considering applications for the most recent round for the audiovisual and independent production sector with decisions expected later this month.  This round will provide an additional €4.5m to the sector which includes €2m in additional funding that I secured under the July stimulus package.

The sector has also benefitted from general Government Covid supports including €4.6m from the Wage Subsidy Scheme up to the end of September.

The BAI are reporting to me quarterly on the impacts on the sector and I will keep the position under review.