Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to concerns among many people in west Cork who will not be able to receive the new Saorview service once analogue television is discontinued on 24 October 2012; if he will consider that the option being made available to them in purchasing an individual receiver is not viable in view of the cost involved and the limited channels offered; his plans to make provisions for persons adversely affected by the switchover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21064/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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RTÉ has built, owns and controls the SAORVIEW TV network and is also responsible for the coverage and operation of that SAORVIEW network. In accordance with Part 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, the development of the RTÉ network is an operational matter for RTÉ and not one in which I, as Minister, have a function.

I have, however, had enquiries made in regard to the situation in West Cork as raised by the Deputy and can now provide the following information.

The Broadcasting Act 2009 Act provides that RTÉ must roll out SAORVIEW to the same extent as its existing analogue network. In this regard, I understand from RTÉ that the analogue network covers 98% of the population and the SAORVIEW network will also provide 98% population coverage.

In addition to SAORVIEW, RTÉ has developed SAORSAT, a new 'free-to-air' satellite service unique to Ireland to ensure the RTÉ TV services are available to the remaining 2% of the population. Currently, SAORSAT provides access to the RTÉ channels. TG4 will be available shortly. TV3 has not yet made a decision as to their carriage on the service. RTÉ is not obliged to provide a 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.

In relation to areas of West Cork, I have been informed by RTÉNL that community deflector systems are not being replaced or upgraded by RTÉNL. Community deflector systems are managed by communities and not RTÉ. Also, it is my understanding that ComReg has indicated that the analogue licenses for these systems will cease at the end of 2012. Homes that currently receive television signals from these systems will have to adjust their aerials to point to a SAORVIEW transmission site and some homes may need to use SAORSAT. Should the Deputy have further questions about specific areas, I am happy to pass them to RTÉ on his behalf for direct reply.

I 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. We have chosen to use outreach and marketing schemes to provide the assistance and support necessary for people to make the switch. As I have stated in previous questions, we have not and do not propose to introduce grant schemes for this purpose.

Experience from other European countries indicates that the cost of set top boxes and other digital receivers reduces as the date for digital switchover approaches, and there is increased competition in the market. There is clear evidence that this is now happening in Ireland with affordable set top boxes that meet the SAORVIEW standard on the market, as well as a range of suitable digital televisions. In addition, experience from other European countries also shows that the availability of accurate and reliable information and the provision of practical assistance is the most effective approach towards assisting people in making the switch to digital television.

In this regard, therefore, to overcome the challenges that digital switchover brings, I have undertaken to deliver a substantial information campaign providing households with information on the digital switchover and on their options for going digital. This information campaign commenced in quarter four 2011. There are a number of strands to the campaign including a national telephone helpline and a national advertising and public relations campaign. An information booklet will also be delivered to every house in the country. The campaign will run up to the end of 2012.

In conjunction with this, my Department has been working to address the particular information and assistance needs of vulnerable households as they prepare to go digital. On January 10th 2012 I signed an agreement with a national voluntary organisation, the Wheel, to develop and operate a nationwide community outreach digital switchover programme (Outreach Programme).

Community umbrella group - The Wheel, in conjunction with voluntary and community organisations throughout the country, has begun to roll out a countrywide Outreach Programme in April/May 2012, which will provide additional assistance and advice at community level to those who may find the move to digital TV difficult. The aim of the Outreach Programme is to ensure that everybody is made aware of the switchover and that no TV viewers are left without a TV service once the national analogue TV service switches off on October 24th 2012. A press release issued on the Outreach Programme and is available on the dedicated digital switchover website www.goingdidital.ie as is the list of local champions referred to above.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure an independent, but also diverse media that ensures small newspaper outlets and non commercial broadcast media have a place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21108/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Section 25 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 requires that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) endeavour to ensure that the broadcasting services made available serve the diverse needs of the people of the island of Ireland, and that both programming and control of both commercial and community broadcasters is diverse. To that end, the BAI has a range of powers around the ownership of media as part of its licensing function and, indeed, will today publish a new ownership and control policy for broadcast media.

I currently have no statutory responsibility for the print media sector. Legislation is in train to transfer responsibilities for the public value aspects of media mergers from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to my Department.