Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
529. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the specific steps his Department is taking to reform and modernise the public-service broadcasting funding model, in view of the recent decline in licence-fee revenue and related controversies surrounding RTÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63438/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the decision in July last year on the funding of RTÉ and public service media and content, the 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 (TWG) on the Reform and Enhancement of the Television Licence to examine potential measures. The Group is due to report to me by the end of November, at which point I will consider their findings and decide the next steps in conjunction with my Government colleagues.
In terms of the wider legislative framework, the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill published in April this year aims to reform the assessment of the funding needs and the performance of our public service media providers and to enhance the legislative underpinning of their corporate governance. It provides Coimisiún na Meán with greater authority to identify targets, assess performance, and hold RTÉ and TG4 to account for their performance and to recommend funding levels for both providers to Government.
The revised General Scheme was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Committee published their report on 17 September 2025 and my officials are currently examining the 84 recommendations. Following my consideration of the matter and finalisation of the Bill, I will bring it to Government for approval and subsequent publication.
