Embargo: Monday, 22 October 2012
FINAL CALL ON PUBLIC TO REACH OUT
AHEAD OF DIGITAL SWITCHOVER
The Wheel and Irish Rural Link, two of the country’s largest networks of community and voluntary groups, today called on the public to reach out to neighbours and relatives to check that they have made a successful switch to digital television ahead of the digital switchover this Wednesday. The old analogue television signal will be switched off on Wednesday at 10am, and those who have not made the switch by then will not be able to watch TV.
The Wheel and Irish Rural Link have spearheaded a massive community outreach programme, on behalf of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, mobilising community and voluntary organisations throughout the country to reach out to people in their communities who needed help to make the switch. Twenty-six Digital Outreach Champions were deployed to coordinate the programme at a county level. Over the past six months more than 50,000 people were provided with information and support on how to switch. Most of these people are are older, live in rural areas, are disadvantaged or are isolated.
Deirdre Garvey, the Chief Executive of The Wheel, said: “The Wheel is urging people to make one last push to reach out to people who might otherwise not make the switch to a digital television service. Over 2,500 community and voluntary organisations have actively participated in the Community Outreach Digital Switchover Programme to help ensure that people don’t get left behind in the switchover. The success to date demonstrates the power of community in Ireland, the tradition of ‘good neighbourliness’ that is being harnessed to look after those who are more vulnerable.”
Séamus Boland of Irish Rural Link continued: “Since March, our Community Organisations throughout the country have held over 1,000 events for people in their own areas, where they got useful information on their options and were encouraged to make the switch on time. It is important that people in rural areas get this type of support . Even at this late stage there may be some people who have not yet made the switch, we are appealing to neighbours and friends to make contact and give them whatever help and assistance they may need.”
For more information on the Digital Switchover visit www.goingdigital.ie or call the Going Digital Helpline on 1890 940 980.
ENDS/
For further information, contact: Dónall Geoghegan, The Wheel, at 01-454-8727 or 087-222-5691 OR Maria Pettit, Irish Rural Link, at 090-648-2744 or 086-329-4323.
Background
The Community Outreach Digital Switchover Programme
The Community Outreach Digital Switchover Programme is managed and coordinated by The Wheel in conjunction with Irish Rural Link, with funding from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The aim of the Programme is that those who are least likely to make the switchover to a digital television service will be enabled to do so before the switching off of the analogue signal in October 2012. This target group are likely to:
- be older
- have less formal education
- be farmers or live in rural areas
- be disadvantaged, e.g. have a disability, live alone
- have few social networks.
The Wheel and Irish Rural Link have been working with community and voluntary organisations in every area of the country, through ‘Digital Outreach Champions’, to reach this target group so that they are aware of the importance of making the switchover and the options available to them to make a successful switchover, and support them in making the decision. Organisations are promoting the switchover at special events, coordinated at a county level.
The Wheel
The Wheel is a national organisation that represents and supports community, voluntary and charitable organisations in Ireland. Founded in 1999, we currently have over 900 members across Ireland, reflecting the enormous scope and scale of this vibrant and diverse sector. The Wheel exists to help change people’s lives for the better. We do this by helping community and voluntary organisations get things done, more efficiently and more effectively. As an independently governed, membership-based organisation, we represent our members' shared interests to Government and other decision-makers, and we promote better understanding of the vital work they do for people in Ireland. See www.wheel.ie for further information.
Irish Rural Link
Irish Rural Link (IRL), formed in 1991, is a national network of organisations and individuals campaigning for sustainable rural development in Ireland and Europe. IRL, a non-profit organisation now directly represents over 600 community groups with a combined membership of 25,000. A member of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership, the network provides a structure through which rural groups and individuals, representing disadvantaged rural communities, can articulate their common needs and priorities, share their experiences and present their case to policy-makers at local, national and European Level. www.irishrurallink.ie
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