Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 May 2024
182. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the latest up-to-date figures regarding TV licence renewal and purchase of TV licences for 2024 versus 2023; the figures for July 2022 to May 2023 inclusive versus July 2023 to May 2024 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24578/24]
View answerThe statutory basis for the current TV licence system is provided for under Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The legislation also provides for An Post acting as the statutory issuing agent for licence fee collection.
The most up to date figures of TV licences issued by An Post for 2024, in respect of the week ending 26 May, show that to date this year An Post has recorded a total of 300,945 TV licences sales with the equivalent figure for the same period in 2023 being 351,903. A breakdown of first time licences/renewals is not yet available to the Department for week ending 26th May.
Total TV licence sales recorded by An Post for July 2023 to 19 May 2024, the last week of full data that the Department holds, amount to 668,232 consisting of 64,467 first time licences and 603,765 renewals. The equivalent figures for July 2022 – 19 May 2023 are 842,284 total licences recorded, consisting of 112,209 first time licences and 730,075 renewals.
Weekly TV Licence figures are available are updated by the Department online on a weekly basis at www.gov.ie/en/publication/d5f84-tv-licence-sales/.
The TV licence supports not only RTÉ but also the wider broadcasting sector such as TG4, Virgin Media, and the radio sector who are supported through the Sound and Vision Scheme. I continue to urge everyone who is required to have a TV Licence to purchase or renew and enable the continuation of this important funding for our public service media. Not only is it the law, but it supports a wide range of public service content created by the independent sector for a number of other broadcasters, not only RTÉ .
