Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
262. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the estimated first- and full-year cost of abolishing the television licence and funding public service media from the central Exchequer, in line with the Report of the Future of Media Commission published in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49485/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs has been stated before, there are no plans to abolish the TV licence.
As set out in the Revised Estimates 2025, funding for public service media providers in Ireland (RTÉ and TG4) will be €285m, €225m for RTÉ and €60m for TG4. TG4 is entirely funded by the Exchequer and RTÉ is funded from a combination of TV fee receipts and the Exchequer.
TV licence revenue comprises receipts from direct sales by An Post and an Exchequer contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free licences awarded to recipients of the Household Benefits Package. TV licence revenues are distributed in accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009, with 7% of net receipts allocated to the Broadcasting Fund, 93% of net receipts allocated to RTÉ, and a payment to An Post in respect of collection and compliance costs.
The quantity of TV licences issued in the period January-end July 2025 was 1.9% lower than the equivalent period in 2024. Should this 1.9% reduction apply for the full year 2025, licence fee income from direct sales will be €124.4m in a full year (net of the contribution received from the Department of Social Protection in respect of the Household Benefits Package). Accordingly, on a no-change scenario, the full-year cost of abolishing the television licence fee would be €124.4m.
As part of its decision last July on the funding of RTÉ and Public Service Media, Government decided that the TV licence system would be retained, while being underpinned by measures designed to improve collection and compliance in order to maximise revenue generation. To this end, Government reconvened the Interdepartmental Technical Working Group on the Reform and Enhancement of the Television Licence to examine potential enhancements to the television licence. I will give consideration to any recommendations arising from the Group once I receive its report.
