A report published today called on the Government to increase funding for TG4 to €44 per annum over the next four years for the station to continue to provide original indigenous Irish language programming.
Entitled Analysis of the Independent Television Production Sectorthe report warns that a failure to increase the funding will see producers, especially those in Gaeltacht areas, forced out of business.
The report also warned that TG4 would have to rely more on English language programmes in the future which would have a serious knock-on effect for the growth of the Irish language.
The report, commissioned by Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) and supported by Údaras na Gaeltachta, said an increase of funding could potentially double original Irish programming on the station to six hours per day.
"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," SPI Chairman Mr Larry Bass said.
TG4 is responsible for the creation of 413 jobs both directly in the station itself and in independent production companies.
