Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of programme B is to support Ireland's socioeconomic development by promoting the maintenance of a diverse and vibrant broadcasting sector and ensuring the regulatory framework will remain appropriate in achieving this. RTÉ and TG4 are funded through a mix of commercial revenues obtained largely from advertising, Exchequer grant payments and licence fee revenue. It is estimated that broadcasting licence fee receipts will be €222 million in 2018. The broadcasting programme provides for an allocation of €190.7 million in television licence fee receipts to RTÉ to enable the company to meet its statutory obligations as a national public service broadcaster. In addition, the programme provides for an allocation of €4.2 million in television licence fee receipts and €31.5 million in grant payments to TG4 to produce a comprehensive range of programming in the Irish language.

Programme B also funds new Irish television and radio programmes through the broadcasting fund which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The fund receives 7% of net television licence fee receipts which is expected to amount to €14.7 million in 2018.