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Broadcasting Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Ceisteanna (355)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

431 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if those licence payers who now have coverage through repeater stations, which are going to be turned off this autumn on instruction from him at RTE will not be able to avail of the same quality coverage as others. [21221/12]

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Freagraí scríofa

RTÉ has built, owns and controls the Saorview TV network and is responsible for the roll-out, coverage and operation of that network. This is in accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides that the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ and therefore not one in which I, as Minister, have a function. That said, I have made enquiries of Saorview and can now provide the following information. Section 130 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 Act provides that RTÉ must roll out a national digital TV network to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In this regard, I understand from RTÉ that their analogue network covers 98% of the population and the Saorview network will also provide 98% population coverage.

Work has been ongoing across the country to prepare the transmission sites for the move from analogue to digital terrestrial television. However, it is virtually impossible to cover 100% of the population by terrestrial means. Reasons for this include local topography, for example. RTÉ is conscious of the needs of communities and is making efforts to ensure areas with larger population centres are provided with the Saorview service. To date, RTÉ has committed to improve coverage in the following areas: Glenties, Bandon, Carlingford and Dingle. Coverage improvements in these areas will not be possible until the analogue TV service is switched off.

In addition to Saorview, RTÉ has developed Saorsat, a new free-to-air satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the RTÉ television services are available to the remaining 2% of the population. Saorsat launched last month — in March 2012. Currently, Saorsat provides access to the RTÉ channels including the new RTÉ channels developed for SAORVIEW. TG4 is expected to be available shortly. TV3 has not yet made a decision. RTÉ is not obliged to provide this satellite service and is doing so on its own initiative. I am informed that with this satellite service, Ireland will have a national TV network covering 100% of the population for the first time.

I have been further informed by RTENL that certain areas serviced by transposers, self-help community systems and repeater stations are not being replaced or upgraded by RTENL. To receive SAORVIEW, homes that currently use these systems will need to readjust their aerials to point to a Saorview transmission site. In a small number of cases some homes may need to use the Saorsat satellite service.

The cost of upgrading to either SAORVIEW or SAORSAT is the once-off cost associated with upgrading TV equipment to digital, for affected cases. SAORVIEW or SAORSAT is free to use for everyone with the correct TV equipment. A SAORSAT installation, including the cost of installing a satellite dish and set top box currently costs €300-€350. A full SAORVIEW installation costs about €200 (for set top box and adjustment or replacement of aerial). As with SAORVIEW equipment costs, it is expected that the cost of SAORSAT equipment will reduce as we approach the 24 October analogue switch off date.

Should the Deputy have further questions about specific areas, I am happy to pass them on to RTÉ on his behalf. Information on coverage is available from the dedicated Saorview website www.saorview.ie. Information on Saorsat is available on www.rtenl.ie.

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