Proposal for Revenue to collect TV licence to be considered

The Revenue Commissioners would be asked to collect the television licence fee in the future under a proposal to be considered later this month by Ministers.

The move aims to bolster funding for public service broadcasting and reduce the numbers not paying the charge, with the rate of evasion estimated to be running at about 15 per cent.

The Government is expected to reject a recommendation from the Future of Media Commission that the €160 annual fee be scrapped totally and replaced with direct exchequer funding for RTÉ, according to senior figures with knowledge of the discussions that have taken place on the issue.

Instead, sources expect that the Revenue Commissioners would in future be asked to collect the charge. RTÉ estimates that it loses out on some €50 million a year in revenue because of non-payment of the fee.

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Evasion rates

It is hoped that transferring responsibility to the Revenue Commissioners for collecting it will dramatically reduce evasion rates.

However, sources say that detailed discussions with Revenue, and possibly legislation, would be required before the change could come into effect.

All consumers of television programmes are required to pay the charge, with those who do not open to a fine of up to €1,000 (or €2,000 for subsequent offences). An Post is currently responsible for issuing licences and collecting payments.

RTÉ brings in some €200 million a year in licence fee income, though the State broadcaster has long complained that the rate of evasion and avoidance costs it huge sums every year. An additional €140 million of its €340 million annual budget comes from commercial activities, principally advertising.

Additional funding

Government sources say that no decisions have been made by the Cabinet yet, but that senior officials are likely to meet next week to prepare for a committee meeting on the issue. Once they can reach agreement, it is expected that the matter will come before Cabinet at the end of this month.

With additional funding expected to be brought in under Revenue supervision of the regime, it is expected that part of this could be made available to other broadcasters producing public service content.

Minister for Arts and Media Catherine Martin received the report of the Future of Media Commission, chaired by Prof Brian MacCraith, last year but there was immediate opposition from Ministers to its recommendation to fund RTÉ directly from the exchequer.