Written Answers Nos. 227-246
227. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the contact she or any Minister in her Department have had with any minister or official in the government of Israel since January 2014; the nature of these contacts, the purpose of these contacts; if a record was kept; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39067/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that neither I or any previous Minister/MOS of my Department, have had any engagement with the government of Israel at Ministerial or official level during the specified timeline in relation to education matters within our remit.
228. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she has corresponded with Bus Éireann in respect of that company’s arbitrary rule that prevents drivers aged 70 and over from driving school buses, considering that this has been cited by operators as the reason for the cancellation of a number of school bus routes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39114/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This includes over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 141,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 4% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to all Bus Éireann road passenger services. The policy and criteria also apply to drivers nominated by private operators who operate services as part of the School Transport Scheme, who may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.
The age limit on bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. Bus Éireann has informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time. The Road Safety Authority under the remit of the Department of Transport committed to reviewing the upper age limit of drivers as it relates to larger vehicles/school buses.
229. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the number of children in each county who are eligible for a school bus ticket but who currently do not have a place on a school bus, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39115/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education the number of children in each county for which applications for concessionary school bus tickets were applied but which to date have been unsuccessful, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39116/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. The school transport fleet is made up of both contractors and Bus Éireann vehicles. Over 95% of services are provided by contractors operating on the School Transport Scheme.
In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
In relation to the Deputy's request for the number of children in each county for which applications for concessionary school bus tickets were applied but which to date have been unsuccessful; it is not currently possible to provide this information in the manner requested by the Deputy, as Bus Éireann continue to issue tickets to families where capacity is available.
In relation to the Deputy's request for number of children in each county who are eligible for a school bus ticket but who currently do not have a place on a school bus, unfortunately, difficulties have arisen in specific locations with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles / drivers. Less than 0.5% of ticket holders on mainstream services have been affected. This number continues to change as services are pt in place.
These difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or contractor availability, or where either zero bids were received for a service, despite repeated efforts to procure one. The Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
231. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she, her special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39129/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease see the following cost breakdown for the Department of Education for external communications consultancy for the period outlined.2022 - Nil2023 - Nil2024 - €3,936.00 (Inc VAT) - Q4PR. The costs: The costs were for strategic communications advice related to the planned primary school survey (including overall approach, drafted materials and communications strategy).Name of company engaged with: Q4PR.
232. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to review correspondence from a principal (details supplied) ahead of Budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39163/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver recent years, additional resources have been made available to our schools, including through the delivery of thousands of extra teaching and Special Needs Assistant posts, increased capitation in schools, enhanced supports for school leadership, reduced class sizes, actions to assist teacher supply and free school books in primary schools and junior cycle post primary to help reduce the school costs for families.
My aim for Budget 2025 is to continue to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government and to continue to support the students, staff and families in the education sector.
In the lead up to the Budget, my Department receives a number of pre-budget submissions from a range of different stakeholders in the education sector, and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy. As in previous years, relevant submissions continue to be reviewed and they will inform the specific budgetary priorities that I will be seeking to achieve in Budget 2025. As I am sure the Deputy appreciates, it would not be appropriate for me to outline any more specific plans at this stage of the budgetary process.
233. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount provided by her Department in 2023 which went towards supporting the art of dance; and the amount of money provided by her Department in 2023 which went towards supporting Irish dancing specifically. [38528/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland. The Arts Council's commitment to the arts is provided for in its 10-years investment Strategy - Making Great Art Work. In Ireland, dance, including traditional dance, is supported by the Arts Council.
In Budget 2023, I provided a record €130m funding for the Arts Council in recognition of the transformational impact of this funding and to support the sector. I increased funding to the Council to €134.278m in 2024.
Dance is an integral component of the Irish cultural landscape. In addition to a broad base of talented professional artists, the dance sector also promotes participative dance practice. A growing number of people of all ages and social status attend dance activities including Irish dancing across the country, from urban centres to rural communities, making dance one of the most widely practiced artforms in Ireland.
The Arts Council supports dance across a number of genres including the traditional arts through grant programmes and awards, and invests in future developments through special initiatives devised in partnership with others. Promoting a diverse and sustainable dance practice, building on the positive elements of the existing infrastructure, is a strategic priority of the Arts Council.
In March of this year, the Arts Council announced the creation of a new all-island dance company, marking a transformative and significant moment for Ireland's dance community. The Arts Council made an initial investment of €2m in 2024 to support the establishment of the dance company.
The Council also has a Dance policy - Advancing Dance 2022-2025. This policy will increase the capacity of the dance sector in Ireland through action and investment. Implementation of this policy will lead to expanded opportunities for audiences and artists across Ireland to engage with dance while extending our reach internationally. The vision underpinning the policy is for an Ireland where dance is recognised as an integral part of our cultural life.
In addition, Culture Ireland operates within my Department to support Irish artists in presenting and promoting their work to audiences around the world. In that context, Culture Ireland provides support to Irish professional dancers and dance companies for the international presentation of their work. In 2023, 23 grants with a total value of €421,200 were offered to support Irish professional dance activity in 17 countries. While aggregate data on dance form is not maintained, allocations reflect applications received and the exclusive focus on support for professional artists.
234. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason is it taking so long for the announcement on when and where the Irish An Gorta Mór Commemoration Day will be held in 2025. [38545/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its inception in 2008, the National Famine Commemoration has taken place on a generally rotating basis across each of the four provinces of Ireland, and has included host communities from across the island of Ireland. In 2018, the Government approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, with the arrangements for the holding of the State commemoration on this day or the preceding Saturday, to be decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and host community. The National Famine Commemoration Committee, which I chair, is charged with considering arrangements for the National Famine Commemoration Day.
The location of the annual National Famine Commemoration is usually announced in early spring each year. This year's National Famine Commemoration took place on Sunday, 19 May 2024, in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford and provided an opportunity for the host community to honour the memory of those who perished or suffered loss during the famine.
I am aware of the importance of providing sufficient notice to ensure that communities, schools, ambassadors, and other stakeholders have time to plan so that this important day can be marked appropriately and provide an opportunity for meaningful reflection.
For 2025, the host venue for the National Famine Commemoration will be within the province of Munster. My Department has written to the Chief Executives of all local authorities in the province inviting applications from those interested in hosting the 2025 National Famine Commemoration.
Proposals that may be received will be considered by the National Famine Commemoration Committee and an announcement will be made at the earliest opportunity.
235. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a full breakdown of how the Brexit Adjustment Fund funding allocated to her Department was spent, by project, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38548/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a result of the adverse impact of Brexit on Irish tourism, €7.75 million in Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding was allocated to Tourism Ireland in 2023 to put in place a marketing strategy to stem and reverse the decline in tourist numbers and associated revenues from Great Britain and Northern Ireland and also to grow tourism from other markets.?
The marketing strategy reflected the short-term need to both retain GB business and gain more EU visitors and, in parallel, to help to drive greater market diversification. Tourism Ireland undertook a comprehensive programme of marketing activity throughout 2023, targeting both Great Britain and key European markets.
As outlined by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in PQ 233 on September 18 this year, the exact composition of Ireland's BAR claim will not be finalised until the claim is submitted to the EU Commission. Once this is finalised, it will be possible to confirm detail in relation to individual projects and final amounts.
Notwithstanding that, the actions taken by Tourism Ireland supported the tourism economy by enabling it to remain competitive in response to Brexit, protect jobs in the sector, support exposed regions and diversify markets after Brexit.
Activity programs were implemented under the following headings:
|
Campaign Theme |
Activities |
|
Campaign focus for visitors from GB |
Publicity; Consumer Advertising Campaigns; Work with B2B tour operator partners |
|
Campaign focus for visitors from Mainland Europe |
Publicity; Consumer Advertising Campaigns; Work with B2B tour operator partners |
|
Supporting the Irish tourism industry most impacted by Brexit |
Fairs, workshops and events |
236. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of students who will participate in creative schools in the 2024-2025 academic year. [38598/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCreative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027, supporting schools to put the arts and creativity at the heart of children’s and young people’s lives. It is led by the Arts Council in partnership with my Department and the Department of Education.
Since 2018, the scheme has supported schools to develop and implement a Creative Schools plan over 2 years. Access to the initiative is open to all primary and post-primary schools, along with Youthreach centres that are recognised and funded by the Department of Education, that have not already participated in a previous round of Creative Schools.
Each school participating in the initiative is provided with expert support from a Creative Associate, assigned to work with them for up to nine days per year, and a grant of €4,000 towards activities and projects over the two years.
The 2-year journey of each school, or centre, in Creative Schools is unique. How the Creative School plan is developed and delivered is bespoke – led by the school or centre itself, to include forms of art and creativity, scope of activity and participation by the students and learners across classes and school years.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, 325 schools will participate in the Creative Schools programme. This number includes schools in their second year of the initiative from the 2023 intake.
All funding through my Department relating to Creative Schools is part of the Arts Council’s annual allocation, the management of which is a matter for the Council under the Arts Act 2003.
237. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the names of the applications from Dublin who received grant aid under 2023 night-time economy noise migration scheme, and the value of those grants, in tabular form. [38604/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the Noise Mitigation Grant Scheme in July 2023 to support late night venue owners to take pro-active steps to implement noise mitigation measures to better control and reduce sound emissions from their premises, especially in those areas where it has the potential to impact on residents.
The scheme operated with a limited fund of €2 million with a maximum of €70k in grant allocations for each venue. All applications were assessed for eligibility on a first come first served basis. The scheme closed for new applications on the 28th November 2023 due to the volume of applications received.
We received 14 applications from businesses in Dublin under this scheme. A number of these businesses have been allocated funds and are progressing with their projects but have not drawn down any funding to date.
Five businesses in Dublin have received the following grant aid to date:
|
Applicant Name |
Amount Paid |
|
Happys |
70,000 |
|
The Button Factory |
65,233 |
|
Fidelity Bar |
70,000 |
|
The Clock |
70,000 |
|
The Complex |
23,283.08 |
|
Total |
298,516.08 |
This funding aims to support the Night-Time Economy Taskforces strategic vision for tackling the sensitive issue of noise that is generated from Night-Time Economy activities. We will also continue to work together across Government to drive strategic and regulatory change, to manage the impacts that noise from the night-time economy may have on local residents and businesses.
238. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a progress report on each of the locations selected under the 2021 €19 million allocation to build world-class facility centres where water-based activities are vital visitor attractions, in tabular form. [38605/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
The matter raised in relation to the Platform for Growth 2 scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for a detailed direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
239. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of expanding the creative schools programme to benefit ten more schools. [38619/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCreative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027, supporting schools to put the arts and creativity at the heart of children’s and young people’s lives. Since 2018, Creative Schools has supported schools over 2 years to develop and implement a bespoke Creative Schools plan. It is led by the Arts Council in partnership with my Department and the Department of Education. Access to the initiative is open to all primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centres that are recognised and funded by the Department of Education, and that have not already participated in a previous round of Creative Schools.
For the 2024 school year, 184 new schools and centres have been invited to join Creative Schools. This is an increase of 43 compared to the 2023 intake and brings to over 1,100 the number of schools that have participated in the programme since it began in 2018. Schools cannot re-enter the initiative once they have participated, thereby encouraging the inclusion of new schools each year.
Each school participating in the initiative is provided with expert support from a Creative Associate assigned to work with them for up to nine days per year and a grant of €4,000 towards activities and projects over the two years.
For the 2022 intake, four schools joined the programme that are based in non-mainstream settings, attached to Special Care Units or Children Detention Centres. Similarly, in 2023 five Youth Encounter Project Schools (YEPs) joined the Creative Schools programme. Given the particular needs of these settings and the young people within them, they were offered an enhanced package of supports to include greater allocated time with a Creative Associate and an increased grant of €8,000 each over the two years.
The cost to grant 10 mainstream schools €4000 each would be €40,000 over two years. In addition, it would cost approximately €84,500 for 10 Creative Associates over 2 years. This is based on an allocation of 26 days in total (including training) for a non-teacher Creative Associate per school.
While the approximate cost for an additional 10 mainstream schools in Creative Schools totals €124,500 for 2 years, the Creative Schools initiative also incurs other administrative and operational costs. This includes within the Arts Council (e.g., project management team, evaluation and national celebration event) and the Department of Education (e.g., teacher substitution for training days) and thereby confounds a simple pro-rata extrapolation based on current baseline costs.
All funding through my Department relating to Creative Schools has been part of the Arts Council’s annual allocation, the management of which is a matter for the Council under the Arts Act 2003.
240. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to explain the decrease in funding for applicants to the arts grants funding scheme in 2024, given the increase in funding for the Arts Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38683/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I am pleased as Minister to have overseen record levels of funding to the Arts Council, under the Arts Act, the Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions and I as Minister cannot direct the Council in the allocation of its funding across grants or in any of its funding decisions.
The Arts Council has a rigorous assessment and scoring processes for its schemes, and funding is offered to applicants in accordance with these processes. Across the Arts Grant Funding programme, funding levels offered can vary to from year to year. This is a matter under the Arts Act for the Arts Council.
241. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has any plans to introduce targeted regional supports for the TV and film production sector, particularly in the northwest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38704/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have received a number of 2025 Budget submissions from various industry stakeholders and consideration will be given to these submissions in the context of the ongoing Budget preparations.The principal Government supports for the audiovisual sector include the Section 481 tax relief and funding for the operation of Screen Ireland, now at record levels. Decisions on tax reliefs, including Section 481, are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.Developing a thriving audiovisual sector requires a fine balance between domestic and international production. Screen Ireland is the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry and it adopts a dual approach to sectoral development to provide strong funding levels for local independent Irish filmmaking and TV drama production, while also attracting large-scale, international productions to the country. Screen Ireland recognises the importance of continuing to support existing production hubs, while encouraging the development of emerging hubs so that new opportunities for local and international production can take place across Ireland, including the North-West, bringing the cultural and economic benefits to the entire country.In 2023, Screen Ireland invested over €5 million in projects, initiatives and activities that contributed to nationwide development of the sector. As the Regional Uplift tapered, Screen Ireland ring-fenced up to €3.5m in its 2023 expenditure for nationwide activity, which included the establishment of a Nationwide Additional Production Fund as well as funding a wide range of sectoral stakeholders and events across the regions. This includes organisations with both a national remit, and those with a regional focus. The Screen Stakeholders Scheme offers programmatic funding for a broad range of learning and development courses, programmes and initiatives.In Gaeltacht areas, Screen Ireland, TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta work closely in partnership with Irish language production companies nationwide to continue to foster Irish language film and TV production. Irish language film is in a new era, thanks to the success of films like An Cailín Ciúin. Further implementation of the coordinated strategy to grow the Irish screen industry nationwide, both economically and culturally, will involve all stakeholders continuing to work in partnership.
242. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of jobs created with the intervention of Údarás na Gaeltachta in each Gaeltacht area in each of the years 2013 to 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38736/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to the annual report and end of year statement which are both published on a yearly basis by Údarás na Gaeltachta and shared on the organisation's website. Both contain the information that is being sought by the Deputy.
243. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total investment in enterprise development and job creation by Údarás na Gaeltachta in each Gaeltacht area in each of the years 2013 to 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38737/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to the annual report and end of year statement which are both published on a yearly basis by Údarás na Gaeltachta and shared on the organisation's website. Both contain the information that is being sought by the Deputy.
244. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of sports capital applications will likely open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38879/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 25 September, Minister Martin and I announced €230 million in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).
Over a quarter of a billion euro has been allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024, taking account of the earlier equipment-only allocation of €26 million, with a total investment of €256 million. This will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
In line with previous rounds, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund.
245. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licences collected, the cost to the Exchequer of TV licence collection, distinguishing the payment to An Post, and estimates of evasion and avoidance over the period 2014 to 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38887/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in July of this year Government agreed to a multi-annual public funding arrangement for RTÉ, consisting of a combination of revenue from TV licence fees and Exchequer support. Key to Government's decision was the provision of multi-annual funding to provide certainty to RTÉ, enabling it to plan on a multi-annual basis for the delivery of its New Direction Statement of Strategy 2025-2029.
As part of this decision, the current TV licence system will be retained, but underpinned by improvements in collection and compliance to maximise revenue generation in support of public service media content. The Government has reconvened the TV licence Technical Working Group and it is expected to report to me by the end of this month. As it continues its work, it would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt the deliberations of the Group and the nature of the recommendations they may bring forward.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the tables below:
Numbers of TV Licences sold by An Post (2014-2023):
|
2014 |
1,018,370 |
|
|
2015 |
1,018,444 |
|
|
2016 |
1,019,169 |
|
|
2017 |
1,027,596 |
|
|
2018 |
1,038,986 |
|
|
2019 |
1,025,534 |
|
|
2020 |
961,277 |
|
|
2021 |
951,454 |
|
|
2022 |
947,924 |
|
|
2023 |
824,278 |
Sum paid to An Post for collection of TV Licence for the years 2014-2023:
Under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, subsections (9) & (10), the Minister pays an appropriate sum to the issuing agent in respect of work done to collect the television licence. This sum is appropriated from TV licence receipts collected, and as such the annual cost to the Exchequer is nil.
The sums paid to An Post for the years 2014 to 2023 from the TV licence collection receipts in respect of the cost of collection is set-out below:
|
2014 |
€11.1m |
|
2015 |
€11.6m |
|
2016 |
€11.5m |
|
2017 |
€11.8m |
|
2018 |
€12.0m |
|
2019 |
€11.4m |
|
2020 |
€10.0m |
|
2021 |
€9.9m |
|
2022 |
€9.9m |
|
2023 |
€8.4m |
Evasion rate for the years 2014-2023 are set-out below:
This evasion rate is arrived at through the collation of data from a number of diverse sources, following a methodology agreed between the Department, An Post and RTÉ in 2013. The evasion rate data employs a diverse range of sources, such as housing data from the 2021 Census, CSO housing data for new builds and business data from the Revenue Commissioner’s Annual Reports.
|
2014 |
15.3% |
|
2015 |
13.8% |
|
2016 |
14.6% |
|
2017 |
14.5% |
|
2018 |
12.8% |
|
2019 |
12.6% |
|
2020 |
15.2% |
|
2021 |
13.7% |
|
2022 |
12.1% |
|
2023 |
16.8% |
Avoidance rate for the years 2020-2023:
TAM-Nielsen carry out regular research on the TV universe including compiling statistics on TV penetration and usage. This includes compiling estimates on the number of homes with or without a TV set and the types of TV reception used. For the purposes of providing an avoidance figure, TAM statistics on no-TV homes and homes with Broadband television only are used, but are not independently reviewed or assessed by the Department. The TAM Nielsen estimates are set out below:
|
Year |
Percent |
|
2020 |
11.6% |
|
2021 |
12.9% |
|
2022 |
15.1% |
|
2023 |
16.9% |
Note: Figures for ‘avoidance’ as interpreted above prior to 2020 are not available to the Department.
246. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether, during deliberations on the future of the license fee, and specifically before committing additional money to the existing license fee collection contract, she has considered an open tender as has been provided for by Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, for the collection of the licence fee. [38907/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe designation of the issuing agent for the purposes of the TV licence is set out in Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Section 145(3) of the Act currently provides that the Minister may, by order, designate an issuing agent other than An Post.
When the question of potentially appointing another or different issuing agent was previously proposed, it was considered on the basis of legal advice that the legislation does not provide for the possibility of tendering the contract under procurement procedures, but rather provides for the designation of An Post or another issuing agent to act on behalf of the Minister in return for a statutory payment.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government, in agreeing to retain the TV licence system, has reconvened the TV Licence Technical Working Group to consider potential changes and improvements to the system. The Group are due to report back to me at the end of this month and as such I do not want to pre-empt any proposals which may be brought forward, and which may then be considered by Government.
It is also worth noting that Section 145(11) of the Act provides that the issuing agent, An Post, may with the consent of the Minister, appoint a sub-agent to perform certain acts and powers for the purposes of collecting the television licence. No such consent has been sought by An Post from the Minister to appoint a sub-agent for television licence collection.
