The figure being discussed is €30m per year.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) have recently completed a five-year funding review of Ireland’s two public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4.
The intention of the review was to focus on the strategic challenges and opportunities facing the two broadcasters.
The review resulted in the BAI recommending that RTÉ should receive an increase in its annual public funding of €30m per year, at a minumum.
It also stated that given the urgency of the situation, the increased level of public funding recommended should be made available to the broadcaster immediately.
TG4, on the other hand, should only receive an increase of €6m per year from 2018 onwards, it was recommended.
The review stated that current levels of public funding are not sufficient, and the increase in public funding is urgent, saying: “With regard to RTÉ and TG4, the BAI notes the significant changes that both Public Service Broadcasters have implemented to reduce costs and increase efficiencies in recent years.
“The BAI recognises also that both broadcasters have taken steps to meet current and future challenges.
“In this context, current levels of public funding are not sufficient to sustain the reach and impact of current provision, let alone allow the broadcasters to evolve in such a way as to adequately fulfill their statutory remit in serving Irish audiences.
“The BAI recommends an increase of €6m per annum in public funding for TG4. It is the view of the BAI that this increase should have full effect from 2018 and onwards over the period of TG4’s strategy.”
You can read the review in full here.
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