Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
366. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an assurance will be provided that, should the Government introduce a tax for funding RTÉ, those who currently have a free TV licence will not be expected to pay this tax; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6199/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to implementing reform of the TV licence system so that a funding model which provides long-term sustainability for public service media in Ireland can be put in place.
High level discussions on the future funding of public service media are continuing, however, as I have stated previously, a final decision will not be made until after the reports of the two Government Commissioned independent Expert Advisory Committees on RTÉ are published.
It would not be appropriate for me to disclose the details of any discussions with Cabinet colleagues to date, or the options put forward by the Technical Working Group, until Government has completed its full consideration of the matter. I believe it would be important that that recipients of the Department of Social Protection Household Benefit Packages would be continue to benefit under any future funding model.
