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An
expert report has called on the Government to increase funding for TG4
to €44 million per annum over the next four years if the station
is to continue to provide original, indigenous Irish language programming.
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Entitled Analysis of the Independent Television Production Sector as it applies to TG4, the report also warns that failure to increase funding will see more independent producers go out of business particularly in Gaeltacht areas, and force the station to rely on more English language programming output. This could have serious implications for the future growth of the Irish language, which has witnessed a substantial increase in its usage since TG4 began broadcasting.
Commissioned by Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) and supported by Údaras na Gaeltachta, the report highlights the significant contribution made by TG4 since it went on air in 1996, a period that has seen the number of Irish speakers in the country rise by more than 140,000. The key recommendations of the report include a call for Exchequer funding to be both mainstreamed and increased incrementally over the next four years from €30m in 2005 to €44m by 2008, if the station is to develop further and continue to play a considerable role in reflecting the traditions and cultural diversity of Ireland.
The station was originally established to run for only two hours per day. However since it began broadcasting, Government funding has only increased marginally, despite the programming output rising to 19 hours per day. As part of its daily schedule TG4 broadcasts three hours of original Irish programming, however an increase in funding could potentially double that output to six hours per day. In effect the increase in funding being sought could generate an additional 90 hours of live sports coverage, 120 hours of children's programmes or 75 hours of documentary programmes per year.
Commenting on the report SPI Chairman Larry Bass stated, "During its time on air, TG4 has brought a number of sporting and cultural events to the general public that would not have been broadcast by any other station. It has fulfilled its role in providing Irish language programming to all those with an interest in the language, regardless of their level of fluency. It has also maintained its public service remit by broadcasting interesting and informative programming."
"However, TG4 is heavily dependent on the independent producers it commissions Irish language programming from. Independent producers are responsible for the vast majority of original Irish language programming on TG4 and without them the station would have grave difficulties in fulfilling its remit. Current levels of funding have increased the pressure on TG4's budget and increasingly independent producers are being forced away from TG4 and Irish language programming. Margins are becoming so tight that they simply can't survive. As our report highlights the number of independent producers living and working in Gaeltacht areas has decreased by 30% in just three years," continued Mr Bass.
The report states that TG4 has encouraged the growth of the independent production industry in Gaeltacht areas but, it asserts, those jobs are increasingly under threat. TG4 is responsible for the creation of 413 jobs both directly in the station itself and in independent production companies. Many of these jobs are based in the Gaeltacht.
Speaking at the launch of the report Irial Mac Murchú, Chair of SPI'sTG4 Committee, stated, "If funding were to remain at current levels, more jobs will be lost. It is stated Government policy to encourage job creation and industrial growth in the Gaeltacht regions. If that policy and the investments already made are to be protected it is vital that the Government now recognises the contribution made by TG4 and puts in place a structured plan to increase the level of Exchequer funding over the next four years."
The independent production sector is one of the few industries that can easily be located in the Gaeltacht. Since the establishment of TG4, the audio-visual sector in Gaeltacht areas has created highly skilled employment for Irish speakers living and working in their own areas. This represents one of the best language-based job creation endeavours ever undertaken in the Gaeltacht and has kept native speakers at home in the Gaeltacht, rather than forcing migration to more populous areas or abroad.
"TG4 provides a programming schedule that appeals to a broad audience across all age groups, both Irish speaking and non-Irish speaking. It has helped bring Irish into the homes of all those interested in the language regardless of their level of fluency. Surely if we are serious about protecting and nurturing our native language, adequate resourcing must be in place to support the broadcaster responsible for driving Irish language programming to the Irish viewing public," concluded Mr Mac Murchú.
The other recommendations contained in the report include:
• TG4 should spend at least 80% of any additional funding on commissioning more Irish language programming and better prices for producers;
• A dedicated fund should be established to support producers of Irish language programming with a combination of programme specific grant aid and repayable loans so as to protect the State's investment and to ensure producers in the Republic are not at a disadvantage to their Northern counterparts;
• Údarás na Gaeltachta should develop a scheme to provide mentoring to Gaeltacht based producers;
• Údarás na Gaeltachta should lead a working group to examine how Irish television and film producers could have easier access to funding to allow them to participate in the co-production and co-financing of programmes and films.
Analysis of the Independent Television Production Sector as it applies to TG4 was compiled by renowned consultant Peter Quinn on behalf of SPI and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Mr Quinn has over thirty years' Management Consultancy experience, and undertakes various consultancy briefs for the Public, Private and Community/Voluntary sectors, specialising in Economic Analyses, Strategic Planning, Corporate Finance, Forensic Accounting and Company/Programme Evaluations. He is a Chartered Accountant with a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He is also a former lecturer at both Queen's University Belfast and Manchester Business School.
