142. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason TG4 was not allocated additional funding in budget 2027; and the engagement his Department has had with the broadcaster since the budget announcements. [74390/26]

The Budget 2027 allocation for the Department is set out in the Expenditure Report published by the Department of Public Expenditure, along with the allocations at a programme level.

Further details were set out by Minister O’Donovan and myself at our press conference on Wednesday 7th October, and in the Department's press release which was published on its website.

The allocations to each subhead, public body or initiative as part of the budget process were based on total available funding in the context of the competing demands across the Department.

Minister O'Donovan and I are fully aware of TG4’s priorities, their important role in not just the media sector but across Irish society, and Government remains committed to ensuring that TG4 is funded appropriately.

The allocation for next year of €65.4m must be viewed in the context of significant increases in the funding over recent years which have seen the allocation increase by 60.5% since 2021 and nearly 75% since 2020.

There is ongoing and regular engagement between the Department and TG4. Officials have met with TG4 since the Budget announcement as part of the Department's oversight role and will continue to engage on funding and other matters.

Senior officials will meet the Cathaoirleach and Ard-Stiúrthóir shortly to discuss the implementation of TG4's strategy, and the opportunities and challenges facing the broadcaster.