Licence Fee

Your TV Licence - FAQs

What is the TV Licence for?
Who collects the TV Licence Fee?
Who gets money from the TV Licence Fee?
Why are there ads on RTÉ?
How does RTÉ use licence fee money?
Do I need a TV Licence?
What if I have more than one television?
What if I don't have a TV Licence?
How much does a TV Licence cost?
What about inflation?
How can I purchase a TV Licence?
What if I move house?
What if I have a second home or a holiday home?
What if my business has several branches?
Am I entitled to a free TV Licence?



What is the TV Licence for?

In Ireland, public service broadcasting is part-funded from revenue collected from the public by way of the TV Licence Fee.


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Who collects the TV Licence Fee?

An Post, appointed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, is the sole agent for the sale of TV Licences to the public. An Post maintains a database of both licensed and unlicensed addresses which is checked and updated regularly.


The Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) pays for TV Licences for a percentage of its clients who qualify for the "Free" TV Licence.


Licence revenue from both of these bodies is paid to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR). DCENR then makes a grant-in-aid of the appropriate amount to RTÉ.


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Who gets money from the TV Licence Fee?

RTÉ is not the recipient of all Licence Fee money. Approximately 7% of licence revenue goes to the BCI Broadcasting Fund. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers / broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature. In addition, An Post is paid for providing collection and enforcement services.


The table below seeks to represent how each TV Licence Fee was utilised in 2008:

 

Utilisation of Each TV Licence Fee Collected



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Why are there ads on RTÉ?

The majority of RTÉ’s activities are of a public service nature.  The cost of providing these services, however, exceeds the amount of licence fee revenue which RTÉ receives.  As a result, RTÉ engages in commercial activities to bridge the funding gap.


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How does RTÉ use licence fee money?

The accompanying pie-chart shows the attribution of Licence Fee revenues, received by RTÉ during 2008, to some of the public service activities carried out. The table following separately sets out a representation of how the proportion of each Licence Fee received was utilised during 2008.

How does RTE use licence fee money - Pie Chart
NOTE: RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ Publishing (RTÉ Aertel, rte.ie, RTÉ Guide) did not receive any public funding.

At the beginning of each year RTÉ publishes a Statement of Commitments to our Audience. Click here to view the RTÉ Statement of Commitments to our Audience 2009.  RTÉ reports on the progress it makes in relation to these commitments each year in the RTÉ Annual Report.


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Do I need a TV licence?

Every household, business or institution that has a television set (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 2009) must by law be in possession of a current TV licence.


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What if I have more than one television?

Only one licence is required for each address regardless of the number of televisions present.


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What if I don't have a TV licence?

In Ireland, around 99% of households have a television. An Post is responsible for maintaining a database containing records of every premises which should have a TV licence. This database is regularly updated to include new buildings. If you do not have a current TV licence, you should expect a visit from a TV licence inspector. If an unlicensed set is found, a prosecution will follow which could result in a fine of €1,000 for a first offence or €2,000 for a second or subsequent offence. An Post collects TV Licence fees on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.


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How much does a TV licence cost?

The TV Licence currently costs €160.


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What about inflation?

In announcing the Government approval of an increased TV Licence Fee, December 2002, Minister Dermot Ahern stated: "RTÉ will be able to seek annual increases up to the level of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). All future licence fee changes will be subject to the strict monitoring of performance against financial, management and programming targets."


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How can I purchase a TV licence?

- A TV licence can be purchased online at www.tvlicence.ie
- By phoning Lo-Call 1890 228 528 (24 hr service) and giving your Laser, MasterCard or Visa Card details.
- By direct debit from your bank current account. With direct debit you have the option of making an annual payment, bi-annual, quarterly or monthly payments.
- From any post office by cash, cheque or TV Savings Stamps or by Laser card at 1,000 post offices across the country. - By Post, cheques to:

An Post Licence Services Division
5th Floor O'Connell Chambers
1-2 Upper O'Connell Street
Dublin 1

Click on the links below for direct debit forms:

Bank Account Form >>>pdf icon
Irish Bank Account Form >>>
pdf icon


You can purchase a TV licence on-line at any time at www.tvlicence.ie. >>>


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What if I move house?

Let An Post know your new address so that your TV licence can be transferred. Alternatively you can update your details yourself online at www.tvlicence.ie. If your address is not that which appears on the licence then you are deemed to be unlicensed and may be liable for prosecution.


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What if I have a second home or holiday home?

If you have a second home or holiday home with a television set then you need a separate TV licence for that address.



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What if my business has several branches?

If you have more than one premises with a television then you need a separate licence for each address.

 

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Am I entitled to a free TV licence?

The Department of Social and Family Affairs pays for TV Licences for certain categories of its clients under the Household Benefits scheme.
Click on this link for further information on Household Benefits and the Free Television Licence: http://www.welfare.ie/foi/hbp.html

For a PDF version of the information booklet for Household Benefits click here: http://www.welfare.ie/publications/sw107.pdf pdf icon

 

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