TV License

captainstacy

Is there any way to get out of paying your TV license?
I do own a TV but cannot pick up RTE, I used to have sky but cancelled it when I lost my job so now I only have the free sat channels of which RTE isn't one.
I still have to pay my TV license whch I cannot afford, is there a welfare payment for the TV license?

wobbles-grogan

Is there any way to get out of paying your TV license?

Yep! Get rid of your tv!

captainstacy

wobbles-grogan wrote: »

Yep! Get rid of your tv!

Any other suggestions?

Grumpypants

I dont think so i dredding it mine is up in August. After i pay my mortgage from my dole i have 170 euro a month to pay all my bills and buy my food and petrol. So 160 for a TV licence will put me in debt to pay.

bonzer1again

You have to pay the TV licence if your tv has the ability to receive the nationally broadcasted signals i.e. RTE radiowave transmissions

So if you use a monitor that has no Aerial input you can watch things on the internet without having to pay a TV licence, or downloaded material....correct me if I'm wrong somebody

Grumpypants

I think you may be, im almost sure they include PC's as well.

snubbleste

You can pay in instalments at the post office or buy tv licence stamps each week.

Obviously if you cannot afford it as you say, then you shouldn't have it

Dermo

Grumpypants wrote: »

I think you may be, im almost sure they include PC's as well.

I'm having a dispute with the tv license people at the moment about a different point but they clarified that PC's and projectors don't count unless they have the ability to take an ariel connection.

captainstacy

snubbleste wrote: »

Obviously if you cannot afford it as you say, then you shouldn't have it

So should I shouldnt be able to even watch a dvd?

snubbleste

Ask at your local post office or telephone the TV licence section. They'll be delighted to answer your query

_michelle_

dont get me wrong i HATE having to pay it but as another poster said you can buy tv licence stamps at €4 each so this can ease the burden on anyone who is struggling with money at the moment, nobody would miss €4 a week.

bonzer1again

According to this...if you don't have a television you don't need to pay the licence (obviously)...so buy a good monitor and watch telly over the internet.

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Broadcasting/Frequently+Asked+Questions/Television+Licence+FAQ.htm#6

tenchi-fan

captainstacy wrote: »

Is there any way to get out of paying your TV license?
I do own a TV but cannot pick up RTE, I used to have sky but cancelled it when I lost my job so now I only have the free sat channels of which RTE isn't one.

A metal coat hanger propped against the aerial-in will allow you to pick up rte!
Nice try though.

Miss Lockhart

tenchi-fan wrote: »

A metal coat hanger propped against the aerial-in will allow you to pick up rte!
Nice try though.

We have a TV license and UPC package etc so I am not saying this to get out of paying it, but in my house I cannot get any Irish stations on the tv in my bedroom which only has aerial. The only station I can pick up Living. I have tried everything - different room, different heights, different tv, various aerial types. I cannot get RTE, TG4 or TV3.

Oh_Noes

If you're over 60 or on disability allowance you can get a free tv license.

Other than that, the state is doing little to create employment, cutting welfare, funding a national broadcaster that provides a very poor product and expecting to be paid an extortionate amount of money for it.

Do you want to pick up the tab for Pay Kenny's seven figure salary? I'd suggest you just don't pay it.

monkeypants

The licence is for having an apparatus capable of receiving TV signals. Whether or not you use it for that doesn't come into it. Some PCs and laptops with TV cards also require a licence.

bonzer1again

So why don't I need a TV licence for my pc at work, even though I watch RTE player....its the ability to receive broadcasted tv is what the licence is for!

monkeypants

From RTE:

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.

What if I have more than one television? Only one licence is required for each address regardless of the number of televisions present.

From the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources:

Q. Do I require a television Licence even though I am unable to receive RTÉ and other Irish regulated broadcasts?
A. Yes. The position is that once you are in possession of a television set capable of receiving television broadcasts, you are required to have a television licence. Effectively, it is the set that is licensed, not the ability to receive television broadcasts.


Q. Do I require a television licence for a computer which can access television-like services (e.g. the RTÉ Player or streaming services) over the Internet?
A. No. So long as the computer is unable to display television channels distributed by conventional television broadcasting networks (i.e cable, satillite, IPTV, analogue terrestrial, digital terrestrial or MMDS) e.g. using a television tuner card or similar device, then there is no requirement to hold a television licence


Q. Do I require a TV Licence even though I do not use my TV for watching broadcasts?
A. Yes. The position is that once a television set is capable of displaying conventional television broadcasting services e.g. RTÉ One, TV3 and BBC One then the licensing requirement applies.

However, this article suggests that laptops with TV cards would be exempt, which contradicts what's said above. It doesn't say anything about non-laptops with TV cards.

So, I think my previous post was incorrect. Maybe. I'm not sure.

tenchi-fan

monkeypants wrote: »

However, this article suggests that laptops with TV cards would be exempt

The article is wrong if that's what it suggests.

If a tv or pc with a tv card can pick up a conventional analogue or digital tv signal, you require a licence.

If your stream tv content from online (including rte player) but cannot pick up tv broadcast in a traditional manner you do not require a licence.

It's pretty simple to understand.

monkeypants

“Once the Broadcasting Bill is enacted, I will exempt these types of technology in order to encourage such industries and to allow for technological development.”

Maybe Eamon Ryan just said that at the time and then didn't bother doing anything about it.

shoegirl

I lived without a tv for many years. Most of it is complete waste of time anyway. I watched DVDs on a PC for the very few programmes I could stomach.

Even now, on the dole, I'm too busy job hunting, going to interviews and studying part time to have time to watch any more than the news.

shoegirl

shoegirl wrote: »

I lived without a tv for many years. Most of it is complete waste of time anyway. I watched DVDs on a PC for the very few programmes I could stomach.

Even now, on the dole, I'm too busy job hunting, going to interviews and studying part time to have time to watch any more than the news.

Really? Your spending 12 hours a day or more job hunting? Sorry but no way could you spend that much time job hunting.

Try again.:D

Verwalt1

I AM IN RECEIPT OF LONG TERM DISABILITY ALLOWANCE FOR TWO LONG TERM ILLNESSES.I AM MARRIED THOUGH WITH ONE CHILD

haveringchick

If your getting a payment for both your wife and child and nobody else lives with you then you should apply for HBP. €35 per month for electricity and free tv license.