Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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97. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to encourage public broadcasting in the wake of recent events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32448/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Public service broadcasting is of vital importance to our society as a whole, and in particular to the functioning of our democracy. The Broadcasting Act 2009 sets out the statutory basis for the governance and funding of public service broadcasting in Ireland, and provides for two statutory public service broadcasters, TG4 and RTÉ.

Since taking office in 2020, I have secured an increase in the annual Exchequer allocation to TG4 of €15 million, or 40%, bringing to the total Exchequer allocation to TG4 from €37.2m in 2020 to €52.2m in 2023. In September 2022, I approved the addition of a new Irish language children's channel, securing €3.3m of a total of €7.3m funding package for TG4 for this initiative as part of Budget 2023. This was the largest-ever increase in TG4's allocation.

I have also demonstrated my commitment to the Sector through my support for both public service broadcasters RTÉ and TG4, community broadcasting and the commercial radio and TV sector through the provision of an additional €20.4m in Exchequer funding for the Sound and Vision Scheme since 2020. This has provided the viewing and listening public with high-quality programmes based on Irish culture, heritage and experience in both official languages. This funding is in addition to the statutory funding for Sound and Vision of 7% of net TV licence fee receipts.

I remain fully committed to supporting the implementation of the recommendations in the Future of Media Commission Report and to supporting independent, accountable, public service broadcasters.

However, it is important that our public service broadcasters are trusted by the people and the Oireachtas. That is why, in light of recent governance failings, I launched an independent, root and branch examination of RTÉ. The purpose of this examination is to restore trust in RTÉ and prevent a recurrence of the failings that have been revealed in recent weeks.