Minister Rabbitte forms DTT outreach programme

Life

11 January 2012

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte has signed an agreement with the Wheel, a national representative and support body for community, voluntary and charity organisations, to develop and operate a nationwide community outreach digital switchover programme.

The Wheel in conjunction with voluntary and community organisations throughout the country will roll out a countrywide Outreach Programme in April 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 24 October 2012.

Minister Rabbitte said: "When we launched our information and awareness campaign in October, I indicated that I would also put a national community programme in place to help people understand the move to digital TV, how this will affect them and to ensure that there is advise and assistance available to guide them to make the decision that best suit their needs. I am delighted therefore to work with the Wheel, Irish Rural Link and the many other voluntary and community sector organisations who have already indicated their willingness to participate in this programme. It is really encouraging to see the level of support offered by these organizations during this period."

Between now and April 2012 the Wheel and its National Advisory Group comprising members of Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; The Wheel; Irish Rural Link; Age Action Ireland; GAA Social Initiative; Disability Federation of Ireland; Society of St Vincent De Paul; Irish Farmers Association; ICMSA; Rural Transport Initiative; and the National Network of Community Services projects will be busy ensuring that adequate personnel with the information and knowledge to assist with digital switchover are in place in every county in Ireland.

The Minister concluded: "The programme is about reaching out to our neighbours within the community to ensure that they have the assistance and information they need to move to digital TV. My primary aim in establishing the outreach programme is to ensure that no one gets left behind after the switchover".

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