Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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404. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount his Department receives from the television licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22744/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In 2012 my Department received €215m in respect of television licence fee sales and ‘free’ licences issued by the Department of Social Protection.

As the Deputy will be aware, An Post receives a portion of licence fee revenue to cover the cost of its activities as the Minister's issuing and collecting agent for TV licences.

Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009, 7% of net licence fee revenue is distributed to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) for onward distribution via the Broadcasting Funding Scheme to assist independent producers and broadcasters in the development of appropriate audiovisual and sound broadcasting programmes, as well as archiving projects. The remaining funds are distributed to the public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4.

My Department does not retain any of the TV licence fee funds, which are fully distributed upon receipt.