Billy Timmins
Question:130 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18451/10]
View answerThursday, 6 May 2010
Questions (132)
Written answers
Under Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, with the approval of the Minister for Finance, I may pay RTÉ in respect of each financial year an amount equal to the total of receipts in that year in respect of broadcasting (TV) licence fees less (i) any expenses incurred in relation to the collection of those fees, and (ii) an amount being equal to 7% of these net television licence fee receipts, which is paid under Section 156 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) in respect of the Broadcasting Funding Scheme. This amount was increased from 5% to 7% under the 2009 Act. In effect, therefore, RTÉ is now being paid 93% of net television licence fee receipts on an annual basis.
The following table sets out details of funding available from television licence fees in the years 2006-2009.
|
Year |
TV Licence Fee Gross Proceeds |
|
€m |
|
|
2006 |
205.5 |
|
2007 |
217.3 |
|
2008 |
222.2 |
|
2009 |
222.6 |
Section 124(2) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 provides that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) shall, on an annual basis, carry out a review of RTÉ's performance. It further provides for the BAI to prepare and submit a report on its findings to me before 30th June each year. The BAI, on the basis of such a review, will make a recommendation on an annual licence fee modification if a modification is deemed appropriate. The calculation for this modification will take into account the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and any adjustment recommended by the BAI. When I receive the completed review I will consider if a change to the licence fee is warranted based on the BAI's recommendations.