asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (a) the total number of people who have paid deposits for the installation of telephones and (b) the number which have been paid (i) for less than six months, (ii) for six to twelve months and (iii) for over twelve months though the telephones are still awaiting installation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Installations.
26.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:—
|
(a) |
1,850 |
|
|
(b) |
(i) |
1,810 |
|
(ii) |
25 |
|
|
(iii) |
13 |
27.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the total number of people throughout the country awaiting the installation of telephones; and the reason for the delay in attending to the needs of the people.
28.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of people on the waiting list for telephones for (a) less than three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to twelve months, (e) twelve to fifteen months, (f) fifteen to nineteen months, (g) nineteen to twenty-four months and (h) over two years.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
There are 5,840 people on the waiting list for telephones apart from 2,410 cases in course of being provided. The information required by the Deputy in regard to the 5,840 is as follows:—
|
(a) |
3,045 |
|
(b) |
1,360 |
|
(c) |
695 |
|
(d) |
415 |
|
(e) |
140 |
|
(f) |
90 |
|
(g) |
80 |
|
(h) |
15 |
Delay in meeting applications is due to the very heavy demand for telephones which is now running at a rate 50 per cent higher than in 1966.
The figures the Minister has given mean that there are 7,000 or 8,000 people waiting to have their telephones installed. There are over 4,000 who have paid their deposit and are still waiting for installation. Does the Minister not think it a disgrace to take the money from these people and hold it for three months, six months, nine months or in some cases for over 12 months? Can the Department not do better than this?
On the contrary, there has been a great improvement in the rate of installation of telephones, and I am not in the least ashamed of the progress that has been made.
Why take the money and then keep people waiting for this length of time for the service?
(Cavan): It would appear that in 13 cases the deposits are held for over two years. Does the Minister not think it a bit unreasonable that he should accept money and hold it for two years?
In the 13 cases you mentioned it is a matter of the applicants not being ready to accept service.
Why take their money until the Department is ready to install the telephone?