Minister for Media Catherine Martin has rejected claims that the Government has handed a "blank cheque" to RTÉ as part of its multi-annual funding plan.She also confirmed that a potential fixed penalty notice and a potential statutory exemption scheme for people who do not pay the TV Licence fee may be considered as part of changes to the system.Speaking at the launch of the plan at Government Buildings, Ms Martin confirmed the plan will include a €725 million three-year fund for RTÉ.This includes €225m next year, €240m in 2026, and €260m in 2027.The funding will come from both the existing TV Licence fee and the Exchequer.Questioned about this scenario, Minister Martin said next year's €225m will include an expected €105m from the licence fee, €78m from free TV licences to groups such as pensioners, and €42m from the Exchequer.She said under questioning that it is not a 'blank cheque', and that it is not a case of rewarding bad behaviour.Minister Martin rejected suggestions this system does not incentivise people to continue paying the TV licence fee, as any shortfall will be paid by the Exchequer.She said that, to address this, she has asked a TV Licence taskforce to examine ways to increase compliance.This group - which has previously examined the issue - will report to Ms Martin within three months.She said an improvement to the "database" for TV Licence fee payers would take place and she hoped this would be completed by January.The minister confirmed that this taskforce previously drew up a report on reforming the TV Licence but, when asked to publish its initial findings, said she would release the "final report" which is due in three months' time.She said the conditions on how RTÉ will spend the money relate to its renewal plan.Asked if redundancies are included in the amount of money being given to the broadcaster, Ms Martin confirmed they are but said the exact number is being examined."That's what we're working out in the scheme right now," the minister said, adding that the possibility of a redundancy payment cap is being discussed with RTÉ and officials.At the end of a heated news conference, Ms Martin took issue with a line of questioning, telling the Irish Independent's Fionnan Sheahan that she has "had a year of it" and that she should not "be screamed at", saying she does not feel "it is acceptable".Later, speaking on RTÉ's Six One, she said that "no other minister has given so much funding to public service media".On non-RTÉ public service media providers, Ms Martin said: "If you go back to the 'Future of Media Commission' report, to those recommendations ... it talked about a figure of €30m, and we are now at €22.5m - I secured that for next year".RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst welcomed the announcement.He said that the "commitment over the next three years is significant in enabling RTÉ to plan ahead with certainty" and it would facilitate the ongoing "necessary transformation" of the broadcaster."We will not take the opportunity that today's announcement presents for granted," Mr Bakhurst added.It was also decided that An Post will retain the contract to collect the licence fee and is to be allocated €6m in extra funding over three years to improve collection rates.In a statement, An Post said it "welcomes this clarity around the future of the TV Licence" describing it "as an important part of our business"."We are pleased that a number of suggestions that An Post has been making for many years around modernising processes and expanding the tools available to us are finally being taken on board," the company added.Earlier, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the funding proposals for RTÉ and other public service media represent significant changes, which will bring a level of certainty to the sector.The exact amount of Exchequer funding will depend on the amount collected in TV Licence revenue.The three Government party leaders met last night to sign off on the proposals.Speaking as he arrived for a Cabinet meeting, where the plans were approved, Mr Harris said that public service broadcasting matters and "it matters that we fund it properly".He said a lot of good work has been done by RTÉ in light of what he described as the recent "saga" at the broadcaster.Firstly "there is a significant uplift in the level of public funding and, secondly, there is a multi-annual certainty that ... most State agencies, public service organisations, departments would give their right arm for."The idea that for the first time ... that RTÉ can actually plan on a multi-annual basis to implement their strategy is very, very significant."Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that "we have to get back to reality" in terms of paying the TV Licence fee, after criticism the Government's plan means the Exchequer will pay for any gaps in licence payments.He said "the most important" part of the funding plan is "the clarity and certainty for RTÉ for the next three years".It is vital, Mr Martin said, that the broadcaster is "not reliant on the exchequer" only and that "we have to get back to reality" when it comes to people paying the TV Licence fee.The Tánaiste said new technology may help to increase compliance, including a suggesting about linking "utilising the RTÉ Player" to licence fee registrations.Asked why a decision was taken for Revenue not to be tasked with obtaining the fee from people, Mr Martin said: "I think it's fair to say that wasn't an agreed view on the matter".
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