RTE has exceeded its targets in this area for the past two years. Further investment, as outlined in our proposal for a licence fee increase, will mean that, during peak viewing, 70 to 80 per cent of programmes will be subtitled.
Madam, - A recent letter to your paper from Pat McKenna, PRO of the Irish Hard of Hearing Association, pointed out that Joe Fulham's letter of July 29th last year "does not give a fair and accurate account of subtitling on RTÉ." For this reason I was disappointed to see the inaccuracies repeated in a further letter from Mr Fulham on January 4th.
Specifically on Christmas Day, our subtitles began at 10.15 a.m. and ceased at 3.30 a. m. Our live subtitlers began work at 10.15 a.m. on Christmas morning after finishing after midnight on Christmas Eve. Another typical day would be Thursday, January 9th, with subtitled programmes covering 70 per cent of programming in peak viewing.
A brochure outlining full details of our subtitling division is available from RTÉ on request. - Yours, etc.,
ISABEL CHARLETON,
Manager, Transmission
Services TV,
RTÉ, Dublin 4.