Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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546. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to reports of an agreement between the Ministers for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in respect of the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall; if she will intervene to ensure the portion of the existing television licence fees paid by her Department towards the support of the National Symphony Orchestra continues to support the orchestra, in view of the fact that many attendees at the orchestra are retired and older persons; the funds her Department provide to RTÉ in respect of supporting the orchestra; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31221/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The household benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. There are currently 437,769 customers in receipt of the free television licence as part of the household benefits package. Total expenditure on the TV licence element of the HHB package in 2017 was €53,184,556.

Payment for the TV licence element of the HHB package by My Department is by way of fixed monthly payments to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, (DCCAE). It is then a matter for the DCCAE to decide how revenue generated by the TV licence is allocated.

My Department does not provide any direct funding to RTÉ in respect of supporting the National Symphony Orchestra.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.