asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if, in view of the loss of revenue to his Department by reason of the replacement of his Department's switch boards and internal telephone office equipment by modern equipment supplied by private interests, he will state whether he proposes to take steps to enable his Department to supply modern equipment and thereby to earn more revenue.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Office Equipment.
31.
Mr. Ryan
The Department purchases only modern type equipment and supplies modern installations to subscribers as far as is practicable having regard to the desirability of avoiding extensive premature scrapping of existing equipment.
Installations of the type referred to by the Deputy have been supplied by the Post Office but on account of the overall volume of work created by the rapid expansion of the telephone service the Department has generally undertaken only major installations and has left the work of supplying other installations to private firms engaged in this field of business. The Department however hopes to be in a position to enlarge its activities in this field shortly.
32.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state in respect of the last three years the money spent by his Department in purchasing equipment and goods (a) from abroad and (b) manufactured in Ireland.
It is understood that in referring to equipment and goods the Deputy has in mind telephone, electric and hardware equipment and uniforms and clothing respectively.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
PARTICULARS of expenditure on equipment (telephonic, electric and hardware) and goods (uniforms and clothing) in respect of the years 1961-62, 1962-63 and 1963-64.
|
Item |
1961-62 |
1962-63 |
1963-64 |
|||
|
Foreign |
Native |
Foreign |
Native |
Foreign |
Native |
|
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
Equipment |
1,098,560 |
486,987 |
1,900,670 |
585,907 |
2,718,468 |
731,806 |
|
Goods |
— |
121,000 |
— |
129,000 |
— |
146,000 |
Note: The figures do not include purchases for other Government Departments, all of which are made on a repayment basis.