The government will consider in the coming weeks whether to grant RTE an increase in the television licence fee.

Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, will bring proposals to the cabinet for approval after considering a report by Indecon Consultants on the fee.

While no decision has yet been reached, it is anticipated that an increase from the current level of €158 to €160 or €162 will be discussed by ministers.

Annual increases in the licence fee are calculated by reference to the consumer price index minus a figure decided every year.

That figure is decided once RTE’s performance in three areas -how the broadcaster meets its published commitments, its budgetary performance and how reforms in the station are progressing -h as been evaluated.

The evaluation is supplied by Indecon following an examination of RTE’s operations in the past year and exchanges with station management.

However, Ryan is not bound to follow Indecon’s recommendations, and recently declined to take the same consultant’s advice when setting new terms for oil and gas exploration.

Last year, RTE secured an increase of €3 in the licence fee following a similar process. The station’s management is understood to be optimistic about securing a similar increase this year.

While political sources typically point to dissatisfaction with some aspects of RTE’s coverage of the government, this has not caused increases in the licence fee to be blocked in the past.