The home copying levy introduced at the beginning of this year will be extended for two years, junior justice minister Fred Teeven has announced.

Everyone who buys a smartphone, tablet or set-top box currently pays a levy of up to €5 to cover the cost of home copying. Computers and laptops are subject to a €5 charge while the price of a CD-rom or dvd includes a three cent levy.

The levy may also be extended to cover e-readers but a decision on that will be taken later, the minister said.

The cabinet said last year the levy would run for one year, while efforts continue to find a better alternative.

At the moment, consumers pay a home copying charge on empty cds and dvds. The money raised goes to a special foundation which will divide up the cash between the various interest groups.