Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
630. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times section 146(3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 has been invoked (details supplied); the number of searches of premises that have taken place from 1 January 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11850/20]
View answerAn Post acts as issuing agent for TV Licence fee collection in accordance with Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. All operational matters including inspections are dealt with by An Post.
An Post makes every effort to bring evaders into the licensed pool and a considerable amount of time and resources are spent in dealing specifically with this issue.
An Post concentrates its initial efforts in getting people to buy the licence when due and by following up with a series of reminder notices and inspector visits. All inspections are undertaken under section 146 (3) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and inspectors only enter premises to verify that a TV set is not present with the permission of the occupant.
The number of inspections carried out since 2016 as advised by An Post are set out in the table under. Data prior to 2016 is not available due to changes in data recording systems.
TV Licence Inspections 2016-2019
|
Year |
No of Inspections |
|
2019 |
472,953 |
|
2018 |
406,748 |
|
2017 |
433,395 |
|
2016 |
363,196 |
