Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in the €6 million that has been allocated for news and current affairs, ring-fenced for independent radio and TV sector, community radio stations will be able to avail of this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40322/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I wish to acknowledge the important role that the community media 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.

In Budget 2025 I secured €6m in funding for 2025 to expand the Sound and Vision Scheme to support the provision of high quality news and current affairs content on commercial radio and television. As such, this is not targeted towards the community media sector.

It should be noted however that the community media sector already receives significant support 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 specifically for community broadcasters. In addition, community broadcasters can apply for funding under general rounds of the Scheme. Since 2020, community media have received a total of approximately €4.6m through the Sound and Vision Scheme, with approximately €3.2m of this allocated to community radio. In 2024 to date, a total of €975k has been awarded to community media, with €694k of this going to community radio.

The Future of Media Commission, in examining the challenges faced by the media sector and consequent impact on the provision of public service content, made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges and to support the provision of public service content. This included the establishment of a new Media Fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform neutral basis.

I secured €10m for the Media Fund in Budget 2025, which will allow for the continuation of existing schemes and facilitate the implementation of further schemes, underlining the Government’s commitment to support the wider media sector and the vital role that it plays in our society. As these schemes are being administered on a platform neutral basis, community media will be eligible to apply for support.

I wish to assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, am fully committed to the continuing development and support of the wider media sector, including regional, local and community media outlets, which fulfil a unique role in our media environment.