The TV licence provides essential funding for public service broadcasting, and plays a vital role in the provision of public service content to educate, entertain and inform, and not only is it required by law, but it underpins public service content, which is of critical importance to our democracy and society.
The TV licence not only supports RTÉ but also the Broadcasting Fund, which funds the Sound and Vision Scheme and the Archiving Scheme. The Sound and Vision Scheme supports the provision of quality content on both television and radio, including local and community radio stations.
Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides the statutory basis for the TV licence, including provisions on the obligation to be in possession of a TV licence. Although RTÉ is not the TV licence issuing agent, nor the sole beneficiary of TV licence receipts, the broadcaster airs adverts to remind the public of this statutory obligation.
TV advertisements are an operational matter for RTÉ. TV licence advertisements are produced, and fully funded, by RTÉ. Section 98 of the Broadcasting Act provides for RTÉ’s independence, and therefore as Minister, I have no direct role in RTÉ’s day-to-day content, advertising and scheduling activities. As such, I am advised that my Department holds no details concerning the number, frequency or cost of TV licence advertisements.
