Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
928 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the charge for a television licence; if this has increased in 2007, 2008 or 2009; the revenue raised from the television licence in 2009; the anticipated revenue to be generated in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1593/10]
View answerThe fee charged for a television licence is €160. This fee can be paid in one payment in full or in monthly, quarterly or half-yearly instalments. There was one increase in the television licence fee in the period 2007-2009, it being the last adjustment to the licence fee which took effect from January 1, 2008. This increase was based on a review of RTÉ's performance in 2006, which was carried out in 2007. This resulted in an increase in the licence fee of €2 from €158 to €160.
The revenue raised from television licence fee sales (including Department of Social and Family Affair's payments to my Department for issue of ‘free licences') in 2009 was €226.2 m. It is estimated that €222.1 m will be generated from television licence fee sales in 2010.
