Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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892.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated revenue to be generated from introducing a levy of 3% on audiovisual media service providers, in line with the provision for a European works levy set out in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2023. [33475/24]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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893.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated revenue to be generated from introducing a levy of 3% on audiovisual media service providers, in line with the provision for a European works levy set out in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2023. [33650/24]

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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949.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the implementation of an Audio Visual Media Services Directive levy in other EU countries; the rate it has been set at, and projected yields; when she expects such a levy to be in place in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32987/24]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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987.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the estimated revenue to be generated from introducing a levy of 3% on audiovisual media service providers, in line with the provision for a European works levy set out in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2023. [33474/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 892, 893, 949 and 987 together.

Article 13(2) of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive ('AVMSD') provides that Member States may require media service providers under their jurisdiction to make a financial contribution to the production of European works.

To exercise this option under the AVMSD, section 159E of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (as amended) provides that Coimisiún na Meán may impose a content production levy on media service providers (i.e. providers of broadcasting and video on demand services) to fund a scheme (termed ‘the European works scheme’) to support the production of European works, including Irish works.

Coimisiún na Meán have engaged consultants to conduct research and make recommendations in relation to the feasibility of an audiovisual content levy and fund. It is expected that the research will include estimates of the potential revenue that may be generated from the imposition of such a levy, along with an analysis of the consequences associated with the levy, including the impact on Irish broadcasters who may be liable for the levy. Furthermore, it is expected that this research will include information in relation to the implementation of an AVMSD levy in other EU countries.

The outcomes of the research, including the associated recommendations, will help inform An Coimisiún’s considerations regarding the potential for the development and structure of any new content levy and fund and their subsequent submission to me on the practicality of any such content levy and fund. It is expected that the research will be submitted to me later this year.

My officials continue to engage with Coimisiún na Meán on an ongoing basis in relation to this and other matters within their remit.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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894.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she or her Department have been contacted or requested to develop a research proposal on developing an all-island media economy, and on maximising between public service media and public service content providers, as recommended in the Future of Media Commission report. [30819/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The report of the Future of Media Commission set out a need for research on developing the all-island media economy and maximising collaboration between public service media and public service content providers on an all-island basis. The Commission made a recommendation in this regard, which was accepted by Government, and which is being progressed by Coimisiún na Meán.

Preparatory discussions have been conducted, focusing on existing networks, namely the Television Broadcaster of Ireland Group (TBIG), facilitated by Coimisiún na Meán and Ofcom Northern Ireland and consisting of RTé, TG4, Virgin Media, BBC NI and UTV. Coimisiún na Meán is also exploring existing radio networks via Community Radio Ireland (CRAOL) and Independent Broadcasters Ireland (IBI).

An Coimisiún will then create a proposal on how to maximise collaboration on all-island basis, including, but not limited to, investigating funding resources from across Government that may be available to support research on all-island media economy, as well as assessing the possible expansion of Irish language audio-visual content production funding.

In the interim, funding is currently provided to support all-island broadcasting initiatives for the promotion of the Irish language as part of the New Decade, New Approach agreement. This provides for €1m per annum to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, via Northern Ireland Screen. This funding, provided by my Department is disbursed to independent producers for Irish language content.