asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that the telephone facilities provided in rural areas are generally inadequate, especially in villages and small towns; and whether he expects, in the near future, to be in a position to arrange for the installation of public telephones in all sub-post offices throughout the country, and for the erection of public telephone kiosks in Enniscorthy and other towns.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephones in Sub-Post Offices.
It is proposed to open a public telephone call office at every post office which is without one at present and the work will be taken in hand during the coming financial year. As over 900 such offices are involved, it will be some years before the full scheme can be completed.
Telephone kiosks will be provided at all centres where the facility is warranted and where continuous service can be afforded. Enniscorthy has already been listed for attention in the coming year.
These works are subject to the supply position and other commitments which must receive prior attention.
I should like to add that it is well to remember that, whilst we have a telephone trunk network of 21,000 miles, we require an increase of 12,000 miles to provide adequately for the present trunk traffic. That is due, of course, to the emergency problem in the last six years.