Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The default rate for television licences is recorded at 14.1%. It has declined from 15.3% at the end of 2013, so that represents an increase of 35,000 people from whom it has been collected. Progress is being made and there is a good deal of effort to try to improve that rate further. The working group is due to report imminently and it is not going to be far behind schedule. It was due to report the day before yesterday but I am told the report will be with me shortly. The question of whether we should be looking at alternative collection methods is explored in the report. The options include collection by the Revenue Commissioners or putting the collection of the licence fee out to tender instead of the current legislative requirement. I understand that will be part of the broadcasting Bill because changes in legislation will be required to permit either of those two options. Turning to how money is used, it surprised me but the size of the broadcasting fund is set by legislation to be 7% of the licence fee. It is not decided by the Minister or the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.