Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of homes here that do not currently pay for a television licence; if he will provide a breakdown of those who receive a waiver and those who do not pay for a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24840/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The requirement to have a TV licence and pay the accompanying fee is dependent on possession of a television set, as defined by Section 140 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. In estimating the number of liable people to hold a television licence, my Department must take into account a range of factors including the overall number of occupied households and liable businesses, the levels of vacant units and the estimated television penetration rate (i.e. the estimated number of homes possessing a television set).

Based on currently available information, the Department estimates that the total number liable to hold a television licence amounts to approximately 1,719,000 and that, based on the number of current licences issued, the overall level of evasion is around 16% of this total. This estimated percentage reflects those who are deemed liable but do not pay the licence fee. It does not reflect those who are in receipt of a “Free TV Licence”.

As the Deputy will be aware, an exemption from the liability to pay the existing TV licence arises by virtue of eligibility for the Household Benefits Package, which automatically gives the right to a free licence. Responsibility for the Household Benefit Package falls under the remit of the Department of Social Protection (DSP). The number of licences issued on behalf of Social Welfare recipients is related to the number of people eligible for the Household Benefits Package, which varies from month to month. At the end of 2012, 407,927 licences were recorded by DSP, which is a reflection of the number of free licences in existence at that point in time.

In addition, the Deputy should be aware that approximately 42,000 people have made statutory declarations under section 147 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 that they do not possess a television set and are, therefore, not liable to have a television licence.