Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
541. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licences renewed; the number of new TV licences issued for week two of July 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; if she can account for any variations in the numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36313/23]
View answer542. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licences renewed, in tabular form; the number of new TV licences issued with a weekly breakdown for June 2022 and June 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36314/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.
The table below sets out the change in the number of television licences issued in June 2022 against those licences issued in June 2023 and the first three full weeks in July, as the most up to date figures available to my Department.
The figures are likely to reflect public sentiment at the height of the RTÉ controversy. It is too early to say if this is indicative of a longer term trend but it does demonstrate the need to rebuild trust in RTÉ, the first steps in which have been taken both by RTÉ and in the independent examinations which I have established.
Public service content is vital for us all. The licence fee supports a broad range of content including sport, culture, current affairs, music, entertainment and more, across many broadcasters and independent producers, not just RTÉ. As such, it is important therefore, that people continue to purchase or renew their TV licence.
|
June |
2023 |
2022 |
||||||
|
First Time Licences |
Renewals |
Total |
First Time Licences |
Renewals |
Total |
|||
|
Week 1 |
2 sales days |
925 |
7,293 |
8,218 |
3 sales days |
1,213 |
9,088 |
10,301 |
|
Week 2 |
5 sales days |
1,398 |
11,923 |
13,321 |
5 sales days |
1,466 |
10,816 |
12,282 |
|
Week 3 |
5 sales days |
2,398 |
11,057 |
13,455 |
5 sales days |
2,310 |
11,580 |
13,890 |
|
Week 4 |
5 sales days |
1,493 |
11,619 |
13,112 |
5 sales days |
1,833 |
11,558 |
13,391 |
|
Week 5 |
5 sales days |
1,381 |
9,231 |
10,612 |
4 sales days |
1,894 |
8,675 |
10,569 |
|
Direct Debits |
1,407 |
13,296 |
14,703 |
1,016 |
13,618 |
14,634 |
||
|
Total |
73,421 |
75,067 |
||||||
|
July |
||||||||
|
Week 1 |
5 sales days |
1,165 |
10,176 |
11,241 |
5 sales days |
1,928 |
13,504 |
15,432 |
|
Week 2 |
5 sales days |
1,245 |
7,677 |
8,922 |
5 sales days |
2,198 |
10,783 |
12,981 |
|
Week 3 |
5 sales days |
1,378 |
7,901 |
9,279 |
5 sales days |
2,003 |
12,833 |
14,836 |
