A week long session of recession themed programmes will broadcast on RTÉ Television from May 9th – 14th on RTÉ. The series of programmes will examine Ireland’s recession – the effects it has had so far and what we can expect in the future.
The programmes are tipped to reflect the after-effects of the boom and bust: from the reality of unemployment and life in so-called "ghost towns" to positive stories of businesses and families who are thriving in spite of the recession. Other programmes will look at the bigger picture, ask where to from here? and present challenging ideas as to how we as a nation can move on from the shock of economic collapse.
Aftershock launches with ‘Ghost Land’ on Sunday, May 9th. Produced by RTÉ’s documentary unit ‘Ghost Land’ is an observational documentary that goes behind the figures to show the reality of life in the aftermath of our building boom, told mainly from the perspective of residents who have mortgaged their future in a ghost estate.
Monday, May 10th sees the broadcast of RTÉ Cork’s ‘The Business’. The programme sees John Murray taking a tour of some landmark properties in London which could end up in NAMA and, therefore, in the hands of the Irish taxpayer. It also looks at business opportunities in London, including the 2012 Olympics, and talks to restaurateur Richard Corrigan and artist Graham Knuttel about succeeding in a recession.
Following this is Animo Films’ ‘Where To Now?’ This one-off documentary is made up of four specially-commissioned television essays which argue for radical change in Ireland in the wake of banking, regulatory and government failures and political and Church scandals. The programme features commentators Dan O'Brien, Matt Cooper, Richard Curran and Justine McCarthy and is introduced by Pat Kenny, who will also chair a one-off ‘Frontline’ debate with the four contributors immediately afterwards.
Wildfire Film’s observational documentary, ‘Life After Dell’, will air on Wednesday, May 12th. The doc, directed by Adrian McCarthy and produced by Martha O’Neill charts the past 12 months for four different families following the announcement of their redundancy at the Dell plant in Limerick.
Thursday, May 13th sees an Aftershock special on ‘Capital D’ where the programme makers spend a day in the Dublin Job Club in the Digital Exchange. The club was set up by Dubliner Aaron Downes, initially to help friends who were no longer working but has since grown rapidly. With members sharing skills, particularly in technology, many have now found new jobs or have started their own businesses. Anne Cassin will also talk to some couples who are about to tie the knot and examines how the recession is affecting weddings. And ‘Capital D’ meets some adults returning to 3rd level education to gain new qualifications in a changing job market. The series producer involved is Mary Butler.
Thursday will also play host to a ‘Prime Time’ special report where the team will investigate how Ireland is faring in the recession when compared to other countries. The programme will ask how we are faring and what lessons are to be learnt both here and elsewhere.
Finally RTÉ’s Nationwide will, on Friday May 14th May present a special programme to mark Aftershock week, focussing on a number of small businesses that are exploring new avenues of work as the recession impacts on their lives.
The transmission dates and times of all the above programmes are listed below:
- ‘Ghost Land’: RTÉ One, Sunday 9th May at 9.30pm
- ‘The Business’: RTÉ One, Monday 10th May at 8.30pm
- ‘Where To Now?’: RTÉ One, Monday 10th May at 9.35pm
- ‘Life after Dell’: RTÉ One, Wednesday 12th May at 9.35pm
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‘Capital D – Aftershock Special’: RTÉ One, Thursday, May 13th at 7.00pm
- ‘Nationwide – Aftershock Special’: RTÉ One, Friday, May 14th at 7.00pm
- ‘Prime Time: Special Report’: RTÉ One, Friday, May 14th at 9.30pm.
