Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.

Public Service Media plays a vital role in our democracy and our society as a whole. It is therefore essential, as I have always maintained, that households continue to purchase a TV licence and contribute towards funding quality public service media.

The total number of TV Licences purchased, and the total revenues collected from these sales, over the last four years are shown in the table below.

In addition to the above, the Department of Social Protection has made a contribution of €69.8m each year for ‘free’ TV Licences distributed under the Household Benefits Package. The number of these free licences averaged 514,245 in 2023; 506,635 in 2022; 478,482 in 2021; and 463,819 in 2020.

The TV Licence not only provides funding for RTÉ but also for content funded though the Sound and Vision program which is of such assistance to the independent production sector, both in radio and in television. This funding supports a wide range of public service content, from impartial current affairs programming, educational public service content, and a broad variety of children's, sport and entertainment programming that speaks to all of Ireland’s communities, without which our democracy and our society would be much the poorer.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 makes provision for the administration of the TV licence fee system.

As statutory collection agent, operational issues regarding collection and enforcement are primarily a matter for An Post, who make every effort to promote the purchasing of a TV licence and thereby ensure compliance. This includes issuing of reminders and undertaking household visits to confirm possession of a TV licence or otherwise. While it is an offence not to possess a TV licence, prosecution through the courts is a last resort.

Details of prosecutions are not under my remit and my Department does not hold the requested figures. Timing of court hearings and details of prosecutions and sentencing are a matter for the Courts Service. However, I can provide details on the number of summons issued by An Post and the number of cases brought to court in the past four years, which are as follows:

* 2023 figures up to 30th November inclusive, final figures for 2023 are not yet available.

The figures provided for 2020 and 2021 reflect reduced operational activities due to the impact of necessary public health restrictions.

It is to be noted that not all summonses sought in any given year are brought to court in the same calendar year and may not be heard until the following year.

Possession of a valid TV licence is not only a legal obligation, it also provides vital funding to enable the provision of high quality public service content to Irish audiences. It is important to note that in addition to providing funding to RTÉ, TV licences receipts also enable funding to a wider range of broadcasters including local commercial radio through the Sound and Vision scheme, as well as providing significant support for the independent production sector.