(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will ascertain the number of television sets at present in use that will become obsolete when the change over from 405 line takes place.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Obsolete Television Sets.
6.
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if it is proposed to grant any financial compensation to owners of television sets that will become obsolete with the change over from 405 line next year.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.
RTE estimate that there are not more than about 20,000 TV sets in use at present which will not be suitable for reception of RTE television broadcasts when 405 line transmissions cease. It is not proposed to grant compensation to the owners of these sets. I understand that manufacture of the type of set in question ceased here about 1963. All of the sets must be over 12 years old and most, if not all of them, are probably overdue for replacement at this stage.
(Dublin Central): Will the Minister indicate when this line will be discontinued?
RTE's present plans are to cease 405 line transmissions from Kippure, Truskmore and Donnybrook sometime after July, 1977. The transmissions in North Donegal will not cease before 1979. Of course, this depends on the plans for the introduction of RTE 2 concerning which I promised an announcement to the House before the end of the year.
(Dublin Central): Is the Minister aware that the biggest percentage of the 20,000 people are the poor and weak section of the community? Discontinuing this service will create hardship for them because they will not be able to get any television reception. What provision will the Minister make to provide them with some type of television when this service is withdrawn?
I have answered the Deputy's question and I do not think there is anything new in that form of question.
(Dublin Central): Surely the Minister is aware that television sets supplied by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and other societies, to the old and lonely use the 405 line system. The decision the Minister is taking will deprive them of their only means of communication with the outside world.
I do not know whether the Deputy is suggesting that 405 line transmissions should be continued into the indefinite future. If he is not, I do not know what is being suggested.
(Dublin Central): Will these people be compensated in any way?
I have answered that.
Would the Minister consider investigating the possibility of conversion of these sets when the 405 line transmission ceases, particularly for poor people?
My understanding is that that would hardly be practicable but I will ask my officials to investigate that matter.
(Dublin Central): This is quite a serious matter for the 20,000 who will be affected. I am not concerned about those who can afford to purchase another television but I am concerned about old-age pensioners and others who have had sets supplied by charitable organisations and who will now be deprived of this service.
This is repetition.
(Dublin Central): The Minister should give some compensation.
The Deputy is wrong in suggesting it would be proper for my Department to compensate people when their existing sets become obsolete. I do not think that could be undertaken and, if Deputy Fitzpatrick were the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, I do not think he would be prepared to do what he is now suggesting I should do. However, in the case of the categories to which he referred, I appreciate the problem and I sympathise with those affected and I will draw the attention of the Minister for Social Welfare to the problem.
(Dublin Central): Arising further——
I have allowed the Deputy a series of supplementary questions. Deputy Fitzpatrick must obey the Chair.
(Dublin Central):——I doubt very much that the Department of Social Welfare would be able to deal with this. It is quite an important matter to a number of people.