Funding specifically for Irish language programming
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (30.11.22) announced funding of just under €2m under the Sound & Vision 4 Broadcasting Funding Scheme. A total of 15 radio and TV projects have been successful in Round 46 of the Scheme, which was specifically for projects that would support the development of new radio and television programmes in the Irish language. The round also included a requirement that applications demonstrated gender equality of at least 50% in the leadership roles amongst performers and within the creative production team.
Overall, the round attracted a total of 35 applications, seeking funding of approximately €5.6m. The proposed package of recommendations will facilitate the production of 10 radio projects and five television projects in the Irish language, relating to Irish culture, heritage and experience, adult and media literacy, and programmes dealing with global issues, primarily for Irish audiences. The proposed funding package of €2m is in addition to the BAI’s commitment to ringfence 20-25% of funding to support Irish language / bilingual content in open funding rounds.
Five of the projects approved for funding are bilingual, with the remainder fully in the Irish language. In line with the BAI’s definition of bilingual programming, at least 30% of the broadcast output must be in the Irish language.
Funded projects include:
- Foclóir Bhrille: Award-winning bilingual stand-up Bláithín de Burca will bring viewers on a journey into the Irish language in search of wild and wanton women’s words to unlock a uniquely Irish experience of womanhood. This documentary will be broadcast on RTÉ One.
- Grá ar an Trá: Grá ar an Trá sees 12 singletons couple up to try and find love and learn the Irish language, all with the ultimate aim of being crowned ‘Couple with the most Focail’. This bilingual series will be broadcast on Virgin Media Two.
- Saor Sin Ó Olc: This crime drama sees a rich vein of dark comedy running through the story, with a tapestry of odd-ball characters and an incompetent police force who lift the dark drama to moments of high farce. This Irish language drama series will air on TG4.
- Clár sa Charr: This series looks at the fun, informative and occasionally exhausting conversations between parent and child on the way to school. It will air on 11 independent radio stations, providing local Irish language content in primetime to a significant audience.
- Beo ón gCuan: This ten-part series of concerts featuring artists such as Altan, Danú, and Skippers Alley will be recorded before a live audience. It will be broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and will be streamed online.
Commenting, Chief Executive of the BAI, Celene Craig said: “The BAI included this specific Irish language round under the Sound & Vision Scheme at the request of Minister Catherine Martin, and I would like to thank her for securing the additional funding. We are very pleased with the variety and standard of applications received in this round, which help to further the BAI’s strategic aims of promoting diversity and plurality, enhancing innovation and sectoral sustainability, and empowering audiences. The projects recommended for funding will increase the availability of quality culturally relevant content in the Irish language and the inclusion of the gender equality requirements will provide greater diversity in terms of those involved in its production and on-air presentation.”
To date, the BAI has awarded more than €39m in funding under the Sound & Vision 4 Scheme to support the production of high-quality television and radio programmes since the scheme came into operation in 2020.
A full list of the projects being offered funding under Round 46 of the Sound & Vision Scheme is available to download here.
ENDS
Media contact: Joanne Ahern, DHR Communications, Tel: 087-9881837.
All other queries: BAI, 01-6441200.