Press release
Minister Martin announces Government agreement on funding of RTÉ and Public Service Media
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Minister Martin announces Government agreement on funding of RTÉ and Public Service Media
• Additional Exchequer support to be provided to RTÉ over the next three years, with total public funding of €225m in 2025
• TV Licence system to be retained
• An Post to be provided with an Exchequer allocation of €6m over a three-year period for necessary collection system and technological improvements
• New collection and compliance measures to be developed to underpin and enhance TV licence system
• Agreement on increased funding for the Media Fund, from €6m in 2024 to €10m in 2025
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, TD, today (Wednesday 24 July) announced that Government has agreed multi-annual public funding for RTÉ which, through a combination of an improved TV licence system and Exchequer support, will ensure that RTÉ is supported to deliver on its Statement of Strategy.
Minister Martin said:
“Certainty of funding, and the ability to plan on a multi-annual basis for delivery of agreed strategies is key. What we have now agreed provides that certainty and security, which for RTÉ was never possible when relying solely on TV licence receipts for its public funding. For next year total public funding for RTÉ will be €225m through a combination of TV licence receipts and Exchequer support. This increased funding envelope will meet the needs of RTÉ’s new strategy.”
The TV licence will continue to collected by An Post; however, in order to ensure that the system can continue to deliver appropriate levels of public funding for public service media, a range of administrative, technical and legislative measures will be examined over the coming months to underpin and strengthen the system. This will include investment in a new database and data management system.
Minister Martin also said:
“Government has agreed to provide the necessary investment for An Post to develop more appropriate data and operational systems. On this basis, I have asked that the Technical Working Group, which Government previously set up to examine the reform of the TV licence, be re-convened to further examine the necessary changes and enhancements in light of this funding commitment.”
Minister Martin will bring an update to Government on this matter in the autumn. At the same time work will continue on the preparation of draft legislation which will reform the statutory basis for the governance of RTÉ, and assign the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ.
In addition to considering the funding of RTÉ, Government also today agreed to the provision of increased funding for the Broadcasting and Media Funds, with a further €4m in Exchequer support delivering an increased allocation of €22.2m for the wider sector in 2025.
Speaking one week after two new funding schemes were launched by Coimisiún na Meán, Minister Martin added:
“Provision of high quality public service media content for the Irish public is not just the preserve of RTE and TG4. Independent broadcasters, commercial and community radio, as well as national, regional and local press, all have a role to play, and for this reason the Future of Media Commission had recommended a range of new funding schemes. I am pleased that in addition to the €6m available this year, an increased allocation will be made available next year to facilitate further roll-out of schemes by An Coimisiún.”
Notes for Editors
Technical Working Group
• The Technical Working Group was set up by Government in September 2022 to examine reform and enhancement of the TV licence.
• Its terms of reference include an examination of TV Licence collection mechanisms, enforcement procedures, database issues and a review of liability to purchase a TV Licence.
• The Group is chaired by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and includes representatives from the Departments of Finance; Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Social Protection; Justice; the Revenue Commissioners; ComReg and An Post.
• Consideration by Government of the Group’s work was paused due to the events at RTÉ and the need to complete the Expert Advisory Committee reports in advance of arriving at a funding decision.
• The Group will now reconvene and complete its report on how best to reform and enhance the TV Licence within 3 months.
• A key focus will be on delivering enhancements to current operations to make them more efficient.
• The Group will also consider the database and datasets required to underpin the system, support greater collection efficiencies and compliance.
• The current legislative provisions on the TV licence will also be considered.
• The Group have been asked to report to the Minister in three months.
Government Funding of Public Service Content
• Government provides extensive levels of funding to public service broadcasters and public service content providers.
• At present TG4 are primarily funded through a direct Exchequer grant from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, with some commercial income.
• RTÉ operates on a dual-funding model, its activities supported by both public funding and commercial income. The public funding is a mix of revenues from direct TV licence sales and the existing Exchequer contribution in respect of free TV licences provided to recipients of the DSP Household Benefits Package.
• A percentage of TV licence receipts is provided to the Broadcast Fund which supports the Sound and Vision Scheme, which in turn makes awards to TV and Radio content on a contestable basis (operated by Coimisiún na Meán). Exchequer funding can also be provided to Sound and Vision.
• Government have agreed to the provision of the following public funding to RTÉ:
o 2025 - €225m;
o 2026 - €240m;
o 2027 - €260m
• In addition, a provision of no less than €22.2m will be provided for other public service content in 2025, including an Exchequer provision of €10m for the new Media Fund schemes (an increase of €4m on 2024).
• A further €6m will be provided over the 2025-2027 period to meet costs of necessary enhancements to the TV licence collection system.
• In 2023 Government provided:
o €69.8m for free TV licences through the DSP Household Benefits Package
o €56m for TG4
o €16m interim funding to RTÉ
o €6m to the Broadcasting Fund.
• Net TV Licence sales receipts were €123m in 2023. As set out in Statute, 93% of net TV Licence sales revenue is allocated to RTÉ and 7% to the Broadcasting Fund.
TV Licence Sales
• Total TV licence sales recorded by An Post in 2023 were 824,278 compared to 947,924 in 2022, a reduction of 123,646 (13%).
• In the first 6 months of 2024, sales declined 14% on the same period in 2023, however, since the beginning of July, sales have increased by 18%.
• TV Licence sales figures are published here and updated weekly.
RTÉ Statement of Strategy
• RTÉ published its Statement of Strategy 2025-2029 on 25 June 2024.
• It demonstrates a renewed commitment to public service broadcasting, and addresses key areas such as governance reforms and cost efficiencies.
• The Strategy is available on RTÉ website and can be viewed here .