Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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233. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she in consultation with the relevant Departments, will ensure that the work put in by those in local media organisations is given due recognition in view of the difficult period that they have faced due to Covid-19. [47708/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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A strong and independent media sector is central to our parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and to the provision of quality and impartial information, particularly in the context of Covid-19. I recognise the essential role that local media organisations play in this regard and in bringing communities together and sharing reliable and relevant local news.

The local media sector faces a fall in revenue arising from the pandemic, but also longer term challenges as a result of changing patterns of media consumption, technology and shifts in advertising revenue. I fully recognise the essential role that the local media plays and the particular value of local and regional newspapers, as well as local, regional and community radio stations, in bringing communities together and sharing reliable and relevant local news.

Since I assumed formal responsibility for the media sector in September 2020, I have met key stakeholders including NewsBrands, Local Ireland and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). In relation to the local radio sector, I have received quarterly reports from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, analysing how COVID-19 has affected Independent Radio. My officials continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to explore the issues arising and build an understanding of the range of challenges facing the sector.

The Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which are available to local media organisations, such as the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. Moreover, I understand that at least €4.4 million was expended on regional and local print advertising from March 2020 to April 2021, and Government and HSE COVID-related advertising spend also produced a source of revenue for radio stations which amounted to €1.8m in Q1 2021.

I also secured additional funding for the Sound and Vision scheme alongside the allocation of 7% of net licence fee receipts which normally supports the fund. I allocated an additional €4.9m to the BAI in December 2020, and in May 2021, the BAI announced the allocation of €7.2m in supports which will facilitate the production of 104 projects. A further round of €2.58m was awarded on 29 April to support all 32 radio stations in the independent radio sector. Further Sound and Vision funding rounds will follow later in year and the BAI, will announce these as they arise.

In recognition of these longer term challenges facing the sector, the Programme for Government provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, to consider the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. The Future of Media Commission conducted a public consultation, that resulted in over 800 written submissions from stakeholder groups, including local media. In addition, the Commission conducted a number of online dialogues with stakeholders and experts CRAOL, IBI, the NUJ, Local Ireland, and NewsBrands.

The work of the Future of Media Commission has now been completed. The Taoiseach and I have received the report and are considering its contents and the Report will be brought to Government for consideration in due course.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of businesses in mid-western areas of Dublin that received outdoor dining grant support; the total value of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47722/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.