Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004
69 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has for the more effective collection of the television licence fee; if it is intended that An Post should continue to carry out the function of collection of the licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25651/04]
View answerMy overriding objective is to maximise the number of licence fees collected, in a cost effective manner. Over the past two years a significant number of initiatives have been taken to help achieve this.
My Department chairs a liaison group through which it works with An Post and RTÉ to plan and oversee the implementation of initiatives and strategies with the objective of increasing sales of television licences. The initiatives taken include: establishment of a 24-hour a day call centre; the introduction of a new lifetime licence for people who are entitled to a free licence paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs; introduction of a monthly direct debit payment option; sale of licences via the An Post post-point channel, and online; radio and television advertising campaigns: and focused inspection campaigns.
All of the initiatives taken have the aim of making it easier for people to pay for their licence and to reduce the level of evasion. The focus has primarily been on initiatives that would have a positive impact in the short-term. I am also considering longer-term measures. The option of putting the licence fee collection contract out to tender is one of the possible choices being explored.
