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The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton T.D. today (Wednesday the 3rd of June) welcomed the allocation of funding to independent radio stations across the country to support them in providing reliable, trusted information on COVID-19. 

Minister Bruton said,

Trusted, local information has never been more important. This funding, in addition to the €1m saved from the waiving of the broadcasting levy will support local radio stations in every community, as they manage these very challenging times.

The special COVID-19 funding initiative was operated by the BAI under the BAI’s Sound & Vision 4 Scheme, following a request from the Minister. A total of 32 applications were received. The applications were evaluated according to the COVID-19 Fund assessment criteria, which included: the public value of the proposals; the feasibility; the value for money; and the track record of the applicant. All 32 applications qualified for consideration for funding.

In response to additional requests from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, under the Sound & Vision 4 scheme, the BAI will operate a round specifically for the community radio sector over the summer months, and then later this year, a separate round for the commercial and community television broadcasters and public service broadcasters, including RTÉ radio services. Details of these rounds will be announced in due course.

The BAI is reporting on a monthly basis to the Minister on the impact of these measures and the government-wide actions, on commercial radio and on the financial well-being of that sector in general in the current environment.

Local radio stations are entitled to support of up to 70% of wage costs announced by the government earlier this week as well as the range of forbearance measures announced by Revenue and the banks.

Details of the successful projects are available on the BAI website, www.bai.ie.