asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the basis on which priorities are determined for the installation of automatic exchanges outside city areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Automatic Exchanges.
The order of installation of automatic exchanges outside city areas is determined by a number of considerations, the principal being the need for new exchange accommodation, the importance of the centre in the planned telephone network and proximity to an existing or planned main automatic centre. In the case of small rural automatic exchanges, availability of sites and suitability of plant and traffic conditions have been the primary considerations.
Is there any fixed figure which the number of subscribers must exceed that automatically brings it within the automatic planned scheme?
There are many considerations besides that, such as the character of neighbouring function circuits. It is a highly technical matter and it would be impossible to cover thewhole field by way of answer to supplementary questions.