asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he can state why twenty-eight subscribers for telephone service in the town of Boyle are required to pay the sum of £7 10s per annum for such service whilst the amount charged for similar service in the city of Dublin is but £6 10s.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TELEPHONE CHARGES IN BOYLE.
In the case of new telephone exchanges in the provinces involving the provision of long trunk service at heavy cost, the rentals of subscribers have to be specially assessed with due regard to the capital cost incurred in connection with the trunk outlet and the subscribers' circuits. The minimum rentals for all new exchanges is now fixed at £7 10s. a year per subscriber, within a mile radius of the exchange, and it is on this basis the rental at Boyle is fixed. The exchange could not have been justified at a lower rental.
Can the Minister say whether it is likely that there will be any reduction in the charge in the future?
I think the charges will be reviewed at the expiration of three years from the date of installation.