Vol. 531 No. 1
11 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself with the level of collection of the television licence fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4996/01]
An Post is authorised under the Postal and Telecommunications Act, 1983 to issue on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands television licences on payment of the appropriate fees. Television licence fees may be purchased at any of An Post's nation-wide network of post offices. An Post estimates the level of evasion to be 10.5% at present. An Post is considering additional methods of pursuing evaders and more flexible payment methods. While a reported evasion of 10.5% affords no grounds for complacency, the number of licences issued has increased by 19% in the past decade. It is my intention to continue to monitor collection performance very closely.
I am sure the Minister would agree that the licence fee is a very important element of RTE's entire income. I was going to ask the Minister if there had been a noticeable increase in the number of licence holders in the past three or four years, given that many new houses have been built. The Minister said that it has increased by 19%. What percentage of the licence fee is charged by An Post for its work in collecting it ? The Minister has been requested by RTE to significantly increase the licence fee. I know consultants have been employed to report to the Minister on the matter. When will the Minister be in a position to bring recommendations to Government regarding this request?
There has been a 19% increase on licences in the past decade. This year's target for sales of licences is 1,170,000, compared to last year's figure of 1,057,296. I do not have the figures regarding collection costs, which is a matter for agreement between RTE and An Post, but I will have them sent on to the Deputy. A proposal on increasing the fee has been made by RTE as the Deputy is aware and I will assess it. If the Minister feels that such an increase is warranted, the proposal is brought to Government for a joint decision. I have looked for expert evaluation of the proposal and am currently considering it. I hope to bring my findings to Government soon.
Could the Minister give us an indication of the ratio between RTE's income from licence fees and from advertising?
I do not have that information here, but I can send it on to the Deputy.
