TV licence payments fell by nearly 20% in the year following revelations about secret payments at RTÉ, costing the state broadcaster almost €30m.
Media Minister Catherine Martin told the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee in correspondence last week that TV licence sales had dipped in the year of controversy surrounding RTÉ, but that she was confident in a rebound in recent weeks.
Ms Martin said that sales recorded by An Post between July 1, 2023 — nine days after the revelations of secret payments to former host Ryan Tubridy — and the end of June this year amounted to 761,762, which consisted of 64,242 first-time licences, 531,168 renewals, and 166,352 direct debits.
That is in comparison to 947,799 — 110,348 first time, 661,871 renewals, and 175,580 direct debits — payments for the same period in 2022-2023.
The minister’s letter says that this “is a reduction of 186,037, or 19.6%, equating to reduction in revenue of €29,765,920”. She adds that, since June, there has been a rebound in the sales.
On June 22 last year, RTÉ revealed that it had under-declared fees to its highest-paid presenter, Ryan Tubridy, prompting a crisis at the public service broadcaster that put a focus on its governance and financial practices.
RTÉ executives appeared before Oireachtas committees and were grilled over the highest-earning presenters and employees, entertainment for commercial clients, and almost €5,000 spent on flip flops.
Earlier this year, Ms Martin announced a €725m funding plan for RTÉ which comes as part of reforms of how the broadcaster is governed.
RTÉ will get €225m public funding next year, of which €105m will likely come from the TV licence fee; a further €78m from payment of the free licences by the Department of Social Protection; while Exchequer funding will amount to €42m. The total will increase to €240m in 2026 and will again rise to €260m in 2027.
“I would like to draw the committee’s attention to the TV licence sales since end June. Through July and August, An Post has reported 131,567 sales in comparison to 108,546 for the equivalent period in 2023. This is an increase 23.9% in July and 18.5% in August, an overall increase of 21.2%.”
Last week, Ms Martin received Government approval to publish the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill that will establish a new statutory framework around the provision of public service content.
A Government statement said the bill aims to implement the recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) on Governance and Culture in RTÉ published earlier this year.
This will include assigning the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ, along with measures to strengthen the authority, role, and functions of the boards of RTÉ and TG4.
Bringing the national broadcaster under the C&AG would mean the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee would receive audits of RTÉ.
The statement added that Coimisiún na Meán will be given “greater authority to identify targets, assess performance, and hold RTÉ and TG4 to account for their performance”.
Ms Martin said she had been clear that additional public funding for RTÉ “requires reform, meaning stronger transparency, accountability, and value for money”.
