Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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316. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the net amount of subsidies provided by the State for funding to Raidió Teilifís Éireann. [29503/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The licence fee is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives which are also set out in the 2009 Act.

An Post pays the Department all TV licence revenues collected from sales and the Department of Social Protection currently pays a sum of €52m annually in respect of free TV licences issued. From these gross receipts, the Department deducts commission payable to An Post for their agency role and TG4 currently receives €9.245m.

In addition, 7% of the revenue goes towards the Broadcasting Fund, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The schemes established under this Fund provide funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, programmes to improve adult literacy, and archiving of programme material. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers and broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature.

The remaining revenues are paid to RTÉ.

Information for the period 2009 to 2014 is set out in the following table.