Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
992. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will put in place a waiver system for hardship cases who will not be able to afford the cost of switching over to Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/12]
View answerI am very much aware of the challenges digital switchover brings, in particular for households that are reliant on the existing free to air analogue TV network. The necessary assistance and support for everyone but in particular for those households who need to make the switch to digital is being provided through a substantial national information campaign. In addition there is a Community Outreach Programme aimed at providing local assistance to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in society. As I have stated in reply to previous questions, I do not propose to introduce grant schemes for this purpose.
In addition to the information campaign and Outreach Programme, on September 10th I launched National Digital Switchover Week. Organised by my Department in partnership with The Wheel and Irish Rural Link, the week which runs from 17th-23rd September, will see 26 local Digital Outreach Champions across the country organise events aimed at encouraging local communities to get informed, make the switch to digital TV and not leave it until the last minute. Many retailers throughout the country will also be offering special deals as part of the National Digital Switchover Week.
As there are only 36 days to go before the 24 October deadline, I would urge all Deputies to engage with the Outreach Programme and Digital Switchover Week at a local level in order to urge constituents to move to digital now and not to wait until the last minute.
