The number of people being jailed for failing to pay for their TV licence jumped by over 50% last year.

New figures obtained by Newstalk Lunchtime show that 411 people were sent to prison for the offence in 2013 - compared to 272 for 2012.

Six years ago. just 49 people were jailed.

Brendan Hennessy from St. Vincent De Paul Social Policy believes the punishment is too harsh for the crime.