Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The statutory basis for the current TV licence system is provided for under Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The legislation also provides for An Post acting as the statutory issuing agent for licence fee collection.

The total reduction in revenue generated by TV licence sales between 1st July 2023 and 31st January 2024, when compared to the corresponding period of 1st July 2022 to 31st January 2023, was €19,825,920. This can be broken down by a reduction in revenue generated by first time licences of €4,073,280, a reduction in revenue from renewals of €14,956,000 and a reduction in revenue from licences purchased by direct debit totalling €796,640.

The figures above exclude those 'free' licences issued to recipients of the Department of Social Protection Household Benefits Packages and therefore only include direct sales by an An Post as the statutory collection agent.

I will use this opportunity to once again remind everyone of their statutory obligation to be in possession of valid television licence, it is the law. TV licence receipts fund a wide range of public service content, enabling essential news and current affairs programming, as well as supporting the creation of high quality content from independent producers through the Sound and Vision scheme and commissions from our public service broadcasters.

As the Deputy will be aware, high-level discussions are ongoing around what future funding of our public service media looks like, with a final decision to be made after the reviews by the expert advisory committees are complete and their reports submitted. No matter the decision that is arrived at by Government, it is important to note that any change to the current funding model will require time, legislative changes will be required as well as an implementation period of any new model. In the interim, it is of vital importance that everyone continues to purchase their TV licence in order to support the continuance of the valued public service content that I previously outlined.