Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the important role that the community radio sector plays within the overall media landscape, and I commend these stations as they fulfil a vital role in community engagement, cohesion, and in the promotion of social inclusion in our communities large and small.

Funding for the sector is not administered by my Department but rather by Coimisiún na Meán, through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which provides dedicated funding rounds for the sector. A major innovation in the current scheme has been the establishment of Social Benefit rounds for community broadcasters.

In 2020, a total of €670,000 was awarded to 22 community radio projects focused on social benefit, through a round exclusively dedicated to Community Radio projects. The following year, in 2021, a total of €516,300 was awarded to 19 community radio station projects, and last year funding of €710,000 was provided to 20 community radio projects. The most recent round of community radio funding recently closed for applications and up to €750,000 will be made available.

In addition to these dedicated funding rounds, community radio stations may also apply for open rounds of Sound and Vision, from which community radio has benefits from funding amounting to €1.14m in the period from 2020 to 2022.

I wish to assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, and our media regulator Coimisiún na Meán, are both fully committed to the continuing development and support of the wider media sector, and in particular regional, local and community media outlets, which fulfil a unique role in our media environment. However, it has to be noted that as the independent statutory regulator with responsibility for media development, the question of awarded contracts and licences for commercial, community and local radio stations rests with Coimisiún na Meán.