Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of households yet to switch over to digital television; the proportion of relevant households yet to switch; his views on whether this number will fall significantly; if he has any contingency plan in place if significant numbers do not match; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36985/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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As part of the digital switchover information campaign, Millward Brown Lansdowne carry out research on the digital television switchover. The most recent tracking study was carried out in August 2012. The findings show that 93% of Irish people are now aware of the Digital TV Switchover. In rural areas 96% of adults are now aware of the digital television switchover. Furthermore, 82% of the population are now aware that the analogue television network will be officially switched off in October 2012, compared to 66% in June.

The research also shows that 12% of homes in the country, approximately 200,000, are still using the analogue TV network for their primary TV. These households must make the switch to digital TV or they will lose their TV reception on 24 October. Households who only use pay TV platforms such as SKY and UPC will not be affected by analogue switch off. My Department’s national digital switchover public information campaign rolled out in October 2011 and provides information on what is happening, the timelines and the different choices available to upgrade to digital. This comprehensive campaign includes advertising on TV, local and national radio; an analogue marker (red x 24 October) to act as a constant reminder to everyone using the analogue service to switch to digital; research; a dedicated website – and national telephone helpline; and an information booklet which was delivered to every household in the Country.

To further assist people make the switch, on Monday 10^th September I launched National Digital Switchover Week which will run from 17^th – 23^rd September. Organised by my Department in partnership with The Wheel and Irish Rural Link, the week will see 26 local Digital Outreach Champions across the country organise events in their communities to encourage those who have not yet switched to digital TV to do so.

I am confident that, by the switch off date, as a result of the national information campaign, the delivery nationwide of the digital switchover information booklet, the Outreach Programme and National Digital Switchover Week, everyone will be fully aware that the analogue network is closing down on 24^th October 2012 and of their switchover options. 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.