Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2010
237 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the criteria for granting waivers and discounts for TV licences in view of the growing numbers of persons in receipt of social welfare, particularly those who have returned to education and are finding it hard to make ends meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43718/10]
View answerThe cost of the free television licence scheme, administered under the household benefit package, was €55.7 million in 2009 and the projected cost for 2010 is €59 million. The number in receipt of the television allowance in October 2010 was 391,000.
Those who participate in the back to education allowance scheme may retain their secondary benefits, which includes the free television licence.
I have no plans to review the eligibility criteria for the free television licence scheme. Any changes to the current arrangements could only be considered in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources.
