RTÉ is likely to take control of the collection of television licence fees for the first time in its history under proposals for an overhaul of the collection system.
Currently, An Post has responsibility for the collection of the licence fee and prosecution of defaulters, but is planning to abandon this business as part of a major restructuring.
Such a move would pave the way for RTÉ, which has been critical of An Post's enforcement performance, to take over responsibility for the area.
The move is believed to be favoured by some senior RTÉ staff, and would be one of the few realistic options available to the Government if An Post withdraws from the licence contract.
A spokesman for An Post confirmed the proposal to cease its TV licence collection and inspection business is included in its restructuring plans in the wake of a 50 million loss last year. The restructuring includes proposals for job cuts of 1,500.
He said that no decision had been made and that the proposals would have to be discussed with the 100 staff involved in the area before they are brought to the Minister for Communications Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern for approval.
A spokesman for Mr Ahern said yesterday that An Post was the statutory body charged with collection and inspection powers regarding television licences. Any change to that would require ministerial approval and legislative change, he said.
He also said that the Department has been in discussion with the Department of Social and Family Affairs on its methods of paying nearly €25 million in licence fees on behalf of more than 250,000 social welfare recipients. One quarter of Irish households are entitled to television licence allowances, which the Department pays to An Post. The Department is examining whether these fees can be paid directly instead.
Mr Donal Curtin, the chief executive of An Post, is believed to be anxious to move out of the license fee area, believing it damages the An Post brand. Research by An Post has shown the semi-state has a positive image among most customers. The television licence business earns An Post €10 million per anum, but Mr Curtin believes this does not outweigh the negative publicity from the enforcement aspect of the contract.
