Every household in the country will be hit with a new Public Service Broadcasting Charge next year. The new charge will replace the television licence fee.

According to the Irish Independent, nobody will be able to refuse to pay as anyone using a television, computer or any device that picks up public information.

Minister Pat Rabbitte gave an assurance today that the charge will not exceed €160. The new charge will come into effect on January 1st, 2015.

According to the paper, nearly one in five households is currently not paying the TV licence which is apparently costing the government €30 million.

However, private broadcasters have been told they will not be receiving any money from this charge, according to the Irish Examiner.

There have been rumours that the charge will operate like the property tax and that no one will be able to avoid it, but a public consultation into how the charge will operate.

Mr. Rabbitte also stated that he really did not believe that houses would have no access to public networks, either television, computers or other devices.

Main photo from the Irish Independent