Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2024
6. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the total Exchequer funding currently allocated to the cost of TV licences for pensioners who are in receipt of free licences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6981/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra‘Free’ TV licences are awarded as part of the Household Benefits Package, administered by the Department of Social Protection. The Exchequer funding allocated for these 'free' licences for 2024 is €69.8 million.
Discussions on the future funding of public service media are continuing and I am committed to this Government being the one to make a decision on this long standing issue. However, as I have previously stated, a final decision will not be made until after the reports of the two independent Expert Advisory Committees on RTÉ are published. Recommendations made in these reports will aid in informing the process to re-build trust in RTÉ, which must go hand in glove with reforming the funding model.
It would not be appropriate for me to disclose the details of any discussions with Cabinet colleagues to date, or the options put forward by the Technical Working Group, until Government has completed its full consideration of the matter. It is of the utmost importance that the model that is decided upon can provide long-term, sustainable funding to a diverse, pluralistic media sector that represents, informs, educates and entertains the people of Ireland.
I believe, however, it is essential that recipients of the Department of Social Protection Household Benefit Package would continue to benefit under any future funding model.
