351. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on a matter (detailed supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54354/26]

Supporting a vibrant media sector in order to sustain the continued provision of independent, high-quality journalism, which plays a crucial role in providing objective, trustworthy and accurate information to the public is a priority for this Government.

In line with the recommendations of the Future of Media Commission, the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill contains measures to implement a statutory Media Fund. A suite of funding schemes catering to all parts of the sector currently operate on an administrative basis, pending the establishment of the new statutory Media Fund.

In January of this year, Coimisiún na Meán announced a total package of just over €15m under the schemes. The funding aims to enhance the provision of public-interest journalism, to assist with the modernisation of technology and digital infrastructure and to support the upskilling of staff within the sector.

Almost €5.7m of this was awarded through the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes to enhance the vital role of media service providers in reporting on public interest matters bringing the total under these schemes to date to €11.3m, with the majority of funding awarded to print and online publications.

The News Reporting Scheme supports the coverage of news matters which are under-reported or are at risk of under-reporting. €3.8m was awarded through the pilot News Reporting Scheme this year. A second funding round of the News Reporting Scheme closed for applications recently, with funding decisions expected shortly.

€2.7m was awarded through the pilot Digital Transformation Scheme, providing vital support for media outlets to upgrade and enhance their technology and digital infrastructure as well as to provide training and upskilling opportunities for existing staff in the context of an ever-changing and increasingly digitalised media landscape. Over €830,000 of this was awarded to print and online publications.

News publishers play a vital role in providing valuable public service content to the Irish public and contributing to the diversity and plurality of trusted voices in our media sector, thereby enhancing democratic participation and safeguarding our information space.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment leads on copyright and artificial intelligence matters. The European Commission is currently reviewing the EU Copyright Directive and officials from my Department are engaging with officials from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in that context.