Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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763.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the new arrangements which will apply for the setting of the charge for a TV licence; the range of equipment to which it shall apply; the changes proposed to improve collection rates during the coming year; how it will impact on those who are currently entitled to free TV licence, and on the estimated shortfall of the projected revenues from the charge in funding RTÉ’s five-year plan; and if she has factored in her plans to support other independent media into the revised arrangements.[35882/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, on 24th July, I announced that Government had agreed multi-annual public funding for RTÉ which, through a combination of an improved TV licence collection system and Exchequer support, will ensure that RTÉ is supported to deliver on its Statement of Strategy. It is important to note that a key aspect of the Government decision, was the provision of multi annual funding which will in turn provide certainty of funding for RTÉ and will enable the organisation to plan on a multi-annual basis for the delivery of its New Direction Statement of Strategy 2025-2029.

In addition, Government also agreed to the provision of increased funding for the Broadcasting and Media funds, with a further €4m in Exchequer support. This will deliver a minimum of €22.2m for the sector in 2025 through the Sound and Vision and new Media schemes, ensuring continuing support for independent producers and the wider media sector. Public service media is critical to a well-functioning democracy, but is also essential for cultural development, social cohesion and wellbeing. The provision of high quality public service media content for the Irish public includes the independent broadcasters, commercial and community radio, as well as national, regional and local press. These outlets are essential to our democracy and play a vital role in our society.

As part of this decision, the current TV licence system will be retained, but underpinned by improvements in collection and compliance to maximise revenue generation. The TV licence will continue to be collected by An Post and, as such, Government has reconvened the TV licence Technical Working Group to make recommendations on the necessary administrative, technical and legislative measures to underpin and strengthen the TV licence collection system. Government also agreed to provide An Post with an Exchequer allocation of €6m over a three-year period for necessary collection system and technological improvements.

The Technical Working Group is continuing its work and will report to me by end of October. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt the work of the Group and the nature of the recommendations they may bring forward.

Government has committed to €225m total public funding to be provided to RTÉ in 2025, this will rise to €240m in 2026 and €260m in 2027. Funding will then be maintained at a level to continue the implementation of the Statement of Strategy 2025-2029.This funding will consist of revenue generated by the enhanced TV licence collection system as well as direct Exchequer funding as required, the exact amount of direct Exchequer funding required being contingent on TV licence receipts. While the decline in TV licence receipts since summer 2023 is well documented, we have seen signs in recovery since the start of the year, particularly in the last number of months. For example, through July and August, there was an increase of 21.2% in TV licence sales compared to the equivalent period in 2023.