RTÉ is expected to receive almost € 2 million extra in television licence revenues this year following yesterday's announcement by Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey that the annual television licence fee will increase by € 3 to € 158 from October.
The broadcaster can expect to receive some €4 million extra in future years as a result of the increase. It is estimated that it will also benefit from an increase in public funding of about €6 million, due to a growth in the number of new households and a reduction in the level of evasion, according to Mr Dempsey.
Mr Dempsey said the principal reason for the increase was to provide RTÉ "with the means to further strengthen the schedules it delivers to the audience, in circumstances where [ consultants] Indecon have reported that RTÉ is providing value for money".
An independent review of RTÉ performance in 2005 concluded that the broadcaster had performed well in the context of delivering on its output, financial and change management commitments, he said.
Mr Dempsey noted that, as had been recommended, the increase is significantly less than the consumer price index.