Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
231. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount raised in revenue from third parties taking a leased fixing on a Garda communications mast in 2023 and to date in 2024; if he will provide this breakdown by revenue raised and by station and or location of the mast; and if he will indicate the way in which this revenue is accounted for. [17869/24]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW) have issued licences to install telecommunications equipment on masts at Garda Stations to the following companies, all of which are licensed by ComReg to provide services in Ireland.
• Three Ireland (Hutchison) Ltd.
• Three Ireland Services (Hutchison) Ltd. (formerly O2 Ireland Ltd)
• Vodafone Ireland Ltd.
• Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd. (now known as Eir)
• Lighthouse Networks Limited
• Imagine Network Services Limited
• E-Nasc Eireann Teoranta (E-Net)
• Tetra Ireland Ltd - These licences are for the provision of digital radio services to An Garda Síochána and other emergency services and as a result of this a licence fee is not payable.
All licence fees from operators on telecommunication masts managed by the OPW are collected quarterly in advance. The fees are payable to the OPW and are subject to VAT at 23%.
That income is subsequently allocated as follows:
• 11% of all licence fees collected plus VAT is transferred to the OPW’s agent who is contracted to manage mast sites on behalf of the OPW;
• 30% of the licence fees collected in respect of Garda Masts is transferred to the Department of Justice.
The balance of the licence fees, less minor expenses, is surrendered to the Exchequer as part of Appropriations in Aid on the OPW's Vote.
Officials in my Department are currently collating the information on the income, by station, received in 2023 and to date in 2024 from these licences and I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
