I thank Deputy Keogh for her question. As we have just discussed, we are all agreed that local and regional media outlets play a vital role in providing high-quality public service content and in contributing to the diversity and plurality of trusted voices in our media sector, which greatly enhances democratic participation and also provides safeguards for our information space. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill will provide for the establishment of a statutory media fund, which will provide a robust framework for supporting the wider media sector in the long term. A suite of funding schemes catering to all parts of the media sector currently operates on an administrative basis, pending the establishment of the statutory media fund.

In January of this year, Coimisiún na Meán announced a total package of approximately €15 million in supports for the wider media sector in order to enhance the provision of public-interest journalism, to assist the modernisation of technology and to support the upskilling of staff within the sector. Almost €5.7 million of that was awarded under the local democracy and courts reporting schemes to enhance the vital role of media service providers in reporting on public interest matters. We saw €3.8 million awarded through the news reporting scheme this year to support the provision of additional high-quality news and current affairs coverage. There was €2.7 million was awarded through the digital transformation scheme providing vital support, as the Deputy knows, for media outlets to enhance their technological and digital infrastructure, as well as to provide training and upskilling opportunities for staff in the context of the increasingly digitalised media landscape we are now seeing.

These supports are of particular important in rural areas where local, regional and community radio contributes significantly to the strength of communities and their access to trusted news. It is something to which we have been, and will stay, committed. I welcome the Deputy raising its importance here and her own strong commitment to seeing that public service in our regions, through our papers and our local radio, is very much supported.

I definitely welcome those funding schemes, especially the new ones that are going to come on board. Money does have to come in if it is going to go out, but that €3.7 million broadcast levy that has to be paid to Coimisiún na Meán is €1 million more this year than it was last year, which is an average 39% increase. For some local radio stations that is translating to €14,000. That was communicated at really short notice and it did not give them a lot of time to put finances in place. When we look back, that has increased 69% over two years and, as the Minister of State said, local media outlets are a trusted source of news when there is so much misinformation and disinformation out there. Our constituents rely on them for updates on local issues, such as weather, community events, road conditions and other local notices, especially in Mayo. The Midwest Radio death notices are very popular and are turned on in the kitchen every single morning. Midwest Radio is like a friend in the kitchen. I just want to make sure these local media outlets have enough support.

I hear what Deputy Keogh is saying in relation to the impact of costs but as she knows, neither the Government nor the relevant Department plays a role in formulating or approving the proposed income or expenditure of Coimisiún na Meán or in setting the levy. The preparation of those annual estimates of income and expenditure under Section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Act requires Coimisiún na Meán to submit such estimates to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport. It is important to note that the Minister does not approve or agree the actual estimates or the annual budget. The Minister’s sole role is in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to give an coimisiún consent for the publication of the budget on its website in accordance with Section 26(7) of the Act. That is the statutory position. I accept what the Deputy is saying and there have been many representations and points made in relation to the budget, which no doubt will be considered by Coimisiún na Meán, but there is a statutory separation between the Government and the commission under the Act.

I thank the Minister of State. I absolutely appreciate and value that separation between the Minister and Coimisiún na Meán. Given the shock that occurred across the county when that levy was announced, local radio stations in particular are struggling, and ahead of the approaching budget we should make sure they get as much support as possible. Older people in particular really rely on turning on that local radio station, getting the local update and hearing local voices. It is also vital, with some of the stations facing viability issues, that we consider local jobs. Many people start out in a local newspaper and then make it to sitting in the Gallery here in Dáil Éireann. We have to make sure that these radio stations can continue.

This ties back to the previous conversation we had about public service broadcasting and the importance of the separation of the Government from the distribution of funding in relation to achieving good public service in broadcasting and media across the country. That is why Coimisiún na Meán was established on a statutory basis. It then has a legal duty to set its levies in relation to that. The Government, as we just discussed, is giving significant funding with over €15 million distributed last year through Coimisiún na Meán. We all agree in the House today that we can see the benefits of that in terms of media and communication at local and regional level.

We will continue with the commitment in relation to that. It is important we keep that separation so the allocation of Government funding is not tied to how the coverage looks, other than that it serves the public in a neutral way and in a way that enhances the quality of communications, broadcasting and journalism at all levels from local right up to national but especially at local and regional level.