I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 610 together.
The total revenue raised by way of the television licence fee and the number of prosecutions in each of the years 2010 and 2011 is set out in the table. In 2011, evasion was estimated to be over 15%. My Department is currently examining the 2012 figures with a view to providing a revised estimate of evasion. While this work has yet to be completed, it is my understanding, however, that it is unlikely to show any decrease in what is already an unacceptably high level of TV licence evasion.
In tackling evasion, every effort is made by An Post to bring evaders into the licensed pool and a considerable amount of its time and resources are spent in dealing with evasion. As a first step, An Post concentrate their efforts on getting people to buy the licence when due. A series of reminder notices are sent out urging people to pay their TV Licence. Payment has been made easier with the introduction over the last couple of years of a dedicated website (www.tvlicence.ie), 24 hour automated call centre (1890-228528) and the option to pay by direct debit instalments. In addition, the older traditional methods of payment at the counter in a post office and with the TV licence stamps remain available.
Every effort is taken to identify unlicensed premises, from people whose licence has lapsed to people who have moved premises, through additional reminders, inspector visits and eventually by court summons. Prosecutions are only pursued after allowing people the appropriate time to purchase a TV licence. The Deputy may wish to note that figures in the table below relating to the number of persons prosecuted are provided by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and are not yet available for 2012.
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2010
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2011
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2012
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Licence Fee Receipts (Gross)
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€222.38m
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€217.77m
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€215.03m
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Numbers Prosecuted
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9,556
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10,593
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Figures not yet available*
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In relation to the total cost to the State of producing advertisements for the television licence fee, the total average annual spend by An Post is in the region of €120,000. This figure does not include any expenditure incurred by RTÉ in this area. This is a day-to-day matter for RTÉ and not one in which I have a function.