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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Access to Broadcasting Services.

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

107 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only a small number of television programmes and no radio programmes are accessible to people with significant hearing disabilities; the extra costs faced by them in the purchase of teletext televisions; and if he will have arrangements made for these people to receive at least a substantial rebate on their television licence fees. [14506/96]

I refer the Deputy to my previous response to a question on this matter, i.e. Question No. 50 of 9 May, 1996 (Columns 1008 and 1009 of the Official Report for that day refer).

The current statutory regime under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts, 1926 to 1988, places a universal requirement on all persons in possession of a television set to hold a current television licence. The revenue generated from the sale of television licences is paid, net of collection costs, to RTÉ for the general purposes of broadcasting.

I am of the view that any financial assistance scheme for persons with disabilities, no matter how well merited, should not be operated at the expense of funds available for broadcasting. Any such scheme would be more appropriate as part of the social welfare code.

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