Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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586. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of the way the total amount raised by the television licence in 2014 was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2623/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Television licence revenues are distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, principally to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives, which are also set out in the 2009 Act. An Post pays the Department all TV licence revenues collected from sales and the Department of Social Protection pays an agreed sum in respect of 'free' TV licences issued by that Department. This sum is currently set at €52 million per annum. From these gross receipts, the Department pays An Post commission in respect of the TV licence activities An Post undertakes in its role as the Minister’s collection agent. In addition, 7% of the total revenue net of An Post’s commission is paid to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for the operation of the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, which provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers and broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature. TG4 also receives an amount of the TV licence revenues and this is currently set at €9.245 million per annum. All remaining revenues are paid to RTÉ.

The following table shows the position for 2014. It should be noted that these figures are preliminary and will be subject to minor changes as a result of a reconciliation exercise that is undertaken at the beginning of each year to take account of the manner in which the An Post contract is applied.