asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware of serious dissatisfaction on the part of people who have to wait two, three or four years after application for the installation of a telephone; and whether there are any further steps he can take to have applications dealt with in a reasonable time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Installations.
82.
The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes."
As regards the second part, I have explained on a number of occasions that it has been found necessary to defer the general body of waiting applications in order that urgently needed trunk circuiting projects may be pressed ahead. This decision was taken in the best interests of both existing and prospective subscribers.
A satisfactory trunk network is the most vital requirement of the telephone service at present and until it has been established a general clearance of waiting applications cannot be undertaken.
Meanwhile, priority applications are being cleared without delay in almost all districts, and in a number of areas where the equipment position is satisfactory, ordinary applications are also being dealt with.
Could the Minister give us any estimate of when the trunk circuit programme will be brought up to the level which he thinks expedient to deal with the arrears of applications?
This work has been in progress since 1960. Up to date we have invested a sum of £10 million, authorised by this Government, for the particular work. This year we will invest a far greater sum than was invested last year in the same work. It is expected it will be about two years more before the general network of the telephone system will enable us to tackle the outstanding applications in a more vigorous manner.
Will it be possible for the Minister at an early date to indicate specific areas in the country where the trunk system has reached a stage at which arrears can be dealt with? I assume we are not going to wait until the trunk circuits are adequate in every part of the country before clearing arrears in an area where the trunk circuits have been perfected.
I have dealt with the point mentioned by the Deputy already. I have indicated to the House that that is my intention. It is also the intention of the Engineering Branch of the Post Office. Take the city of Cork. In a few months we hope there will be no waiting applications which cannot be dealt with in a reasonable time.
They will be lucky. Is that because of the by-election?
Except for whatever normal new applications are made. The practice in Cork and Limerick is to review the question of making connections every three months.
Perhaps the Minister would take under consideration certain rural areas in which similar facilities might be made available at a reasonably early date and let us know, at his convenience, if any such rural areas exist or are likely to exist in the early future.
I have already explained that is the intention.
Am I right in believing the Minister said that Limerick will be cleared after three months?
No. The situation in regard to Limerick city for some time past has been that applicants wait for a few months because it is one of those places where we can make connections.
I have a report in my possession from the Minister in respect of a city applicant in which he told me it would take years before this person got a connection.
Not in the city of Limerick.
Is it because of the lack of technicians or lack of material that we in the Limerick city area have to wait for years?
Not in the Limerick city area? There are other exchanges as well in that Engineering District.