Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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49. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to reduce television licence fee evasion and to address the broader issue of the funding of public service broadcasting. [18036/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The current level of TV licence evasion is estimated to be 14.6%. While the rate has fallen from 15.3% at the end of 2013, it is still very high and equates to a loss of €40m per annum to public service broadcasting.

To address this issue, my Department has been working with An Post and RTÉ on an on-going basis to ensure that the TV licence collection system is working as effectively as possible. Measures such as marketing campaigns, more evening and weekend inspection and appointment of additional temporary inspectors are just some of the initiatives that have been utilised to enhance sales and improve compliance rates.

While these measures are important steps, I believe that the current system needs to be reformed. As the Deputy will be aware, I obtained Government approval last year to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, including amendments for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection.

The proposed amendments were considered under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment and I received their report on 8 March. My officials are considering the contents of this report and it is also being considered by Parliamentary Counsel in the drafting process.

As the Deputy is also aware, I requested the Committee to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of public service media. The Committee published their report at the end of November 2017.It was debated in the Dail on 29 March and I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly. 

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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52. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline and nature of the tendering process he plans to introduce for the collection of television licence fees. [18002/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Section 145 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 defines 'issuing agent' as An Post "or another person designated by the Minister" under Section 145 (3) of the Act.

The Act does not currently provide for the tendering of licence fee collection and I obtained Government approval in May 2017 for the drafting of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill which includes an amendment to allow for tendering of licence fee collection. 

The Bill was examined under pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment who published their report on 8th March.  My Department and the OPC are considering the Report in the context of the drafting process which is now underway.  The Bill is on the list of priority legislation for this session.