Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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29. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will outline the reforms planned for the future of the TV licence fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36971/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, as of this July, Government has agreed to a multi-annual public funding arrangement 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. A key aspect of the Government decision was the provision of multi annual funding which will 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.

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 Government has reconvened the TV licence Technical Working Group and in addition, extensive bilateral meetings are being held to progress this work. Additionally, 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 expected to report to me by the end of October. As it continues its work, it would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt the deliberations 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. While the decline in TV licence receipts since summer 2023 is well documented, we have seen signs of recovery, 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. Again, I would take the opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of continuing to buy or renew their TV licence, which also supports the provision of high quality public service content right across national and local, independent, commercial broadcasters through the Sound and Vision scheme.