Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 5

Written Answers. - Television Licence Exemption.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

122 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will exempt primary schools from the payment of TV licences in view of the fact that primary schools are underfinanced and that the imposition of this extra charge upon schools is regarded as unfair and discriminates against the schools who have provided televisions through fundraising at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The funding of primary schools is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education.

There is no provision under current legislation for exemption from the requirement to hold a television licence. The Deputy will understand that primary schools are just one of the many institutions and categories of persons that would consider themselves worthy of exemption. The exemption of primary schools from the requirement to hold a licence would have to be compensated for by an increase in the general licence fee or from another source, for example the Vote for First-Level Education.

I am sure the Deputy would agree that, as one colour licence at a cost of £62 covers all television sets at a particular premises, the amount involved should be able to be met from primary schools' budgets. I do not understand the Deputy's reasoning that there is discrimination caused by schools who provided television sets through fund-raising at the local level. All schools are obliged to have the correct television licence if they are in possession of a television set.

The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Education operates a scheme whereby the cost of television licences is reimbursed to primary schools which are designated as being disadvantaged by that Department.