Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 February 2022
99. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Revenue Commissioners will be the authority responsible for collecting the television licence in 2022 or beyond. [10233/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal mechanism for the provision of public funding to support public service broadcasting in the State is the TV Licence fee.
The Future of Media Commission was established by Government to consider the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion; and the potential measures required to ensure that our public service media continues to play its essential role within our society for the foreseeable future. This included consideration of a sustainable future funding model.
After extensive engagement, the Commission completed its work and submitted its report to the Taoiseach and myself in the Autumn. The Report’s recommendations are far-reaching and will inform media and broadcasting policy for the coming years. As such, they have required careful and detailed consideration, particularly in light of a range of other complex and inter-related issues that will require decisions by Government in the wider media and digital space. It is intended that the report will be brought to Government for consideration as soon as its recommendations have been fully considered.
As provided for under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, An Post are the designated collection agent for the TV Licence fee, and they will continue to carry out this statutory function until such time as Government may decide on an alternative funding model.
