I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 293 and 294 together.
My Department has undertaken a major information campaign to inform people about the euro, with particular attention to the needs of pensioners and people with literacy and numeracy difficulties. This campaign involves television, radio, newspaper and bus and rail advertising, press releases and information leaflets, direct customer mail shots, public events – including open days – posters widely distributed and information provided on the Department's website. The Department is also co-operating with the Euro Changeover Board in the implementation of its public relations and information campaign.
The recent media campaign comprises an advertisement which featured in the print media and a television and radio commercial which is currently running. The advertorial campaign cost approximately £130,000 and involved one advertorial featuring two photographs which was placed in The Sunday Tribune, Sunday Independent, Sunday World, Sunday Mirror, News of the World, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, The Star and The Sun. The average cost per publication was £14,500.
The television and radio commercial is being carried on five television stations, eight radio stations and 16 independent radio stations at an approximate cost of £108,000. The average cost per television station is £11,300 while the average cost per radio station is £2,100. During the campaign, the television commercial will have about 230 slots and the radio commercial about 400 slots.
The Deputy will appreciate that the various activities of my Department reach in one way or another into virtually every household in the country and the impending changeover to the euro will impact on all of these households. As part of my ministerial responsibilities, I am charged with ensuring my Department's smooth transition to the new currency. I must be satisfied that all my Department's customers are aware of the implications of the euro changeover on their social welfare payments. In particular, our customers need to be assured they will not lose out financially when the changeover occurs on 1 January. To that end, my Department has availed of the print and broadcast media to ensure this important message gets across to its diverse range of customers.
Additional Information.My personal involvement in the current euro media campaign emphasises the importance of the message being conveyed and the importance the Government attaches to a smooth and effective changeover. My Department will also establish a freephone euro helpline to handle customer queries about any social welfare aspect of the euro changeover. The freephone will commence from 12 December 2001 and will remain available into the dual circulation period which ends on 9 February 2002.
