Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
541. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review of the collection of the television licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48166/18]
View answer542. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions taken to address non-payment of television licence fees since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48167/18]
View answer543. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the forgone revenue through non-payment of television licences this year to the end of October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48168/18]
View answer552. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the television licence fee (details supplied) will be reformed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48400/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 to 543, inclusive, and 552 together.
I am very much aware of the challenges that face the existing TV Licence system, including the current levels of evasion which have been estimated to equate to a loss of up to €40m per annum to public service broadcasting. In recent years the rate of compliance has increased from 84.5% to 85.9%.
With a view to increasing compliance further, my Department has been working with An Post and RTÉ on an on-going basis so that all steps are being taken to ensure the system is working as effectively as possible. Measures such as marketing campaigns, more evening and weekend inspections and appointment of additional temporary inspectors are just some of the initiatives that have been utilised to enhance sales and improve compliance rates.
As the Deputy will be aware, Government approval was obtained to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, including amendments for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection.
The proposed amendments were considered under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment and their report was received on March 8th. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and is included as a priority on the Government's Legislative Programme.
As the Deputy is also aware, the Committee was also asked to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of public service media and the Committee published their report at the end of November 2017. Following consideration of the recommendations made in that report, Government approval was received in July 2018 to establish a Working Group on the Future Funding of Public Service Broadcasting. The Working Group, which is chaired by my Department, will examine a number of options to support future funding and the reform of television licence fee collection and it is intended that it will report to me in Q1 2019.
