14. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the merits of increasing targeted support for independent Irish language productions, for both television and online streaming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51126/25]

Sentiment score: 0.22

I wish to ask the Minister about the merits of increasing support for independent producers in relation to Irish language productions for television, particularly for online media and streaming services, where there is a real opportunity for us to growth the product that is available through the Irish language.

Sentiment score: 0.91

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Mar is eol dó, aontaím go hiomlán leis an ráiteas atá ann sa chlár Rialtais, go háirithe maidir le rudaí trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá sé sin thar a bheith tábhachtach. We know as well that through the Official Languages Act, there is now an obligation on State agencies to produce at least 20% of their advertising through the Irish language. That is something we hear on the radio and see on the television every day. It has created a tangible improvement for those who wish to live their lives through or experience the Irish language. They can now see it on a day-to-day basis beyond the likes of Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4. That is important. Is there specific monitoring of the outputs? The investment is really important and I welcome what the Minister has said and the commitments. I hope there will be more in the budget next week. Is there specific monitoring of how that money is being spent and can we see the corresponding outturn at the end, particularly in respect of streaming services beyond national broadcaster services?

Sentiment score: 0.23

I appreciate what the Minister is saying and agree entirely with him. He mentioned "An Cailín Ciúin". It is a fantastic proof positive of the strength of Irish-language productions and the benefit that comes with it. Mar dhuine a d’fhoghlaim a chuid Gaeilge sa Rinn, bhí an-áthas orm an blas sin a fheiceáil agus a chloisteáil sa scannán sin. Mar a dúirt mé, tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach do dhaoine go mbeidh siad in ann é sin a fheiceáil agus a chloisteáil. I appreciate what the Minister said about the increased funding for TG4, which is hugely important because it translates into direct funding for the independent production sector, from where they get so much of their content. However, "House of Guinness" for example, which is currently streaming on Netflix, is the first Netflix programme with Irish-language subtitles. How are we plugging into that streaming sector to increase the volume of material that is available trí mheán na Gaeilge do dhaoine atá ag féachaint ar Netflix, Apple TV, Prime agus araile? An bhfuil rudaí ar fáil do dhaoine sa chomhthéacs sin?

Sentiment score: 0.07

Tá mé chun an cheist seo a chur ar son an Teachta Keira Keogh as Maigh Eo.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I particularly welcome what the Minister said about liaising with other Departments. The cross-departmental nature of this funding is hugely important. It is not just the Minister's Department but also the Department of Health, the Department of Transport and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality that need to come together to make sure this funding is effective in how it relates to people with disabilities. I want to specifically address the accessibility retrofit programme for public transport. We opened a new DART station in my constituency, in Woodbrook, with fully accessible platforms, yet the fully accessible trains that will allow wheelchair users, for example, to get onto them will not come for two years. Those trains are important for people like artists, as the Minister mentioned, to get to different venues and places where they are going to work. That has to be part of the scheme as well. The cross-departmental element is crucial to make sure it is effective and gives people with disabilities what they need.

Sentiment score: 0.42

I appreciate the work that is being done. It is hugely positive and benefits us all, albeit many of us indirectly. One of the issues with grants, particularly where they are means-tested, is that when they work and the person who is a recipient of that grant makes more money or has more resources available to him or her, they then fall outside the criteria if it is means-tested. This applies across the board in relation to grants for people with disabilities. The reality is that even if they have more money or resources available to them, they still have the same disability, challenge and mountain to overcome. It is counterproductive to have a situation where a means-tested grant is taken away from somebody who has achieved some success in relation to the very challenges they are trying to overcome. I hope the Minister takes that into account in the way the scheme will operate from here.

Sentiment score: 0.46