Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
46. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress made to date on the collection of the TV licence fee; and her strategy for improving collection. [36595/20]
View answer51. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a commitment will be given to not increase the TV licence fee and to instead ensure that there is a more efficient method of collection. [36596/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 51 together.
An Post acts as my issuing agent for TV Licence fee collection under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.
The vast majority of people pay their TV licence fee. The level of evasion has decreased from 15.3% at the end of 2013 to 12.57% at the end of 2019.
Among the measures taken by An Post to reduce evasion have been changing TV Licence Inspectors attendance to allow Inspectors to make visits later in the evening when people are more likely to be at home. Inspectors also work every second Saturday, again with a view to getting a response at the door.
Inspection areas have also been re-assigned as certain areas have grown rapidly over the years. Some of the administrative work has been centralised to allow more time for Inspections.
An Post and RTÉ have also worked on a marketing campaign that seeks to ensure both new and repeat sales.
The TV Licence fee has remained at €160 since 2008 and I have no plans to change the level of the fee.
The Future of Media Commission was established by Government in September 2020. An important part of its remit includes the longer term considerations in relation to the funding of Public Service Broadcasting.
