Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the means by which he plans to ensure meaningful, ring-fenced and accessible funding for the independent radio sector in budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52581/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government acknowledges that local and national independent broadcasters perform a vital public service and that this should be supported. This is being achieved through a range of Media Schemes, for which local, regional and independent radio stations and broadcasters are eligible to apply.

€6m was provided in Budget 2025 to ensure the continuation of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes, applications for which recently closed and are currently being assessed.

Two new schemes have been launched this year. €3m is being provided for the Digital Transformation Scheme which was launched in September. It will support media organisations to innovate and transition to the digital information environment.

In addition, the News Reporting Scheme will provide €4m, including a ring-fenced €3m for the commercial radio sector, to support public service content that is under-provided for or at risk of under-provision. This Scheme will provide an important avenue of funding in support of the provision of independent and trustworthy news and current affairs content and will assist in promoting a plurality of voices in our media sector.

The aforementioned measures are in addition to the Sound and Vision Scheme operated by Coimisiún na Meán, which provided over €22.7m in 2024 in funding to the production of audiovisual works with almost €1.7m of this going to commercial radio. Over €600,000 has been provided in 2025 to the commercial radio sector through the scheme.

In line with the relevant Programme for Government commitments, Coimisiún na Meán will monitor the impact of each of these schemes, and update them as appropriate, in order to ensure they are accessible to the wider media sector and continue to deliver on intended objectives.

I understand the importance of ensuring our local and regional radio, who are among the most trusted news sources in the country, remain viable and strong and actively contribute to a thriving and diverse media landscape.

The Deputy will appreciate that annual allocations to the Media Fund are subject to the 2026 Estimates process which will be announced in Budget 2026.