Written answer
Broadcasting Sector
The Minister opposed introducing a content levy at present, citing the risk of higher costs for households, and said it would require his prior direction under the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill. He highlighted existing supports for Irish independent producers, including Sound and Vision funding, Section 481 tax relief and a proposed 25% RTÉ spending requirement.
336. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport given the significant increase in subscription fees (details supplied), if he will consider introducing a content levy on streaming services to support Irish content production. [67046/26]
Comment on this
Article 13(2) of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive ('AVMSD') provides that Member States may require media service providers (i.e. providers of broadcasting and video on demand services) under their jurisdiction to make a financial contribution to the production of European works.
To exercise this option under the AVMSD, section 159E of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (as amended) provides that the independent media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, may impose a content production levy on media service providers to fund a scheme (termed ‘the European works scheme’) to support the production of European works, including Irish works. Any such scheme funded from the levy receipts would require Ministerial approval.
Coimisiún na Meán appointed consultants Nordicity & Saffrey LLP to undertake research and make recommendations in relation to the feasibility of an audiovisual content levy and fund. Stakeholders were consulted. The report was received by my Department in January 2025 and published by Coimisiún na Meán in May 2025. It can be accessed here: www.cnam.ie/read-the-feasibility-study-on-the-audiovisual-content-levy/
I consider that the introduction of a content levy risks placing an additional financial burden on Irish households already experiencing cost-of-living pressures and in light of the already rising costs of subscription video on demand services, as the Deputy has highlighted. It is for that reason the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill includes an added layer of protection for the Irish consumer by providing that Coimisiún na Meán may only impose a content production levy on broadcasters and video-on-demand providers following a direction of the Minister. I have no intention of issuing such a direction until I am satisfied that a content levy would not impose an undue burden on Irish households.
I fundamentally believe in supporting the Irish independent production sector, as is reflected by the many ongoing supports provided to the sector through grant funding from Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán’s Sound and Vision Scheme, as well as the Section 481 film tax relief.
The Sound and Vision Scheme has awarded over €7m in total funding so far this year in support of 81 projects. Coimisiún na Meán will announce funding awards from Round 61 of the Scheme at the end of October, while Round 62 will open for applications on the 15th October.
The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill provides that RTÉ will be required to spend at least 25% of its public funding on content commissioned from the independent production sector. RTÉ and TG4 will also be excluded from receiving direct public funding from the Media Fund, in order to ensure that all funds go to independent producers and commercial media outlets.
I will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the independent production sector continues to be appropriately supported in the longer term.