Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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80. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views that revenue from the current television licence fee is being proportionately distributed to all public broadcasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38997/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Licence fee revenues are distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 in the following prescribed manner.

From gross TV Licence fee receipts, my Department firstly deducts commission payable to An Post in respect of its role as issuing agent for TV licences. TG4 also currently receives €9.245m from the gross receipts. Following these deductions, 7% of the net revenue is paid to the Broadcasting Fund Scheme. The Scheme, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, was established to provide funding in support of the production of high quality programmes by independent producers and broadcasters on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. The scheme also supports certain archiving projects being undertaken by broadcasters.

Any revenues remaining following these payments are provided to RTÉ.

The purpose of the TV licence revenues paid to RTÉ and TG4 is to facilitate the pursuit of each broadcaster's public service objectives, which are set out in the 2009 Act.

Statutorily mandated annual and five yearly reviews are conducted by the BAI which must consider whether each broadcaster has fulfilled the commitments set out in its annual statement and make a recommendation as to whether there should be an adjustment to the level of public funding. The first 5 year review was undertaken in 2013 and this work included a wide-ranging process of stakeholder engagement with market players and other interested parties, involving both face to face interviews and written submissions.