asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his Department collect the licence fees for RTE; and if so, if he is satisfied that such a system is not less economical than a system under which RTE would collect their own fees.
55.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - RTE Licence Fees.
54.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the amount of money collected by his Department in the last financial year in respect of licence fees for RTE; the cost or approximate cost of collection; and if he will give details of how the costs of collection are estimated.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.
The provisional figures for licences fee receipts and costs of collection by my Department for the financial year ended 31st March, 1970, are £2,314,000 and £290,000 respectively. The costs of collection are made up of the costs of issuing licences, the costs of maintaining records, issuing reminders et cetera, the costs of outdoor investigation work, prosecution expenses and costs of stationery, postage et cetera. The question of transferring part of the work of collection to RTE has been under examination but no decision has been taken.
Is it true that RTE have asked permission to increase radio and television licences? Would the Minister also say if the Department of Posts and Telegraphs are going to apply to increase the price of stamps and telegrams in the near future?
A Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Burke has put down two questions, which I have answered, and now Deputy L'Estrange has asked two supplementary questions which have nothing to do with the original question.
The question about RTE increasing licence fees has to do with the original question.