asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why telephone subscribers in the Terenure area and adjoining areas in Dublin experience with increasing frequency the crossing of lines so that it is becoming unusual to have a conversation on the telephone without other callers cutting across; why subscribers have frequently to wait for minutes after lifting the receiver before getting dialling tone; and how soon action will be taken to give the areas affected a reasonably satisfactory telephone service.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
121.
I am not aware that the difficulties mentioned are being experienced generally by subscribers in the areas in question. If the Deputy will send me particulars of the telephone numbers of subscribers who are encountering either of these difficulties I will have their telephone installations specially examined.
122.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs how many people are on the waiting list for telephones in Rathcoole, County Dublin; and when he expects it will be possible to provide these telephones in this area.
There are 135 waiting applications in the Rathcoole area. Owing to technical problems arising from exchange overloading I regret that it is not possible to say at this stage when they will be offered service. I hope that the position will be clarified in about a month and I will write to the Deputy.
Could the Minister say whether there is any anticipation of needs in the various areas where rapid development is taking place? Rathcoole is only 10 miles from Dublin. We have a situation there which has been obvious to everybody for a long time.
Every effort is made to try to anticipate demand. The overall position so far as the telephone service is concerned is that, due to its popularity, there is an increasing demand even over and above what might have been expected. I sympathise with the people in this area because we have not been able to cater for them up to now. Every effort is being made to cater for them. I hope to be in a position, by arrangement with my engineers, to do something to rectify the position in this area. When I am in a position to add something more to this information I will communicate with the Deputy. I expect to be able to do that within a month.
Is the Minister aware there are many people whose livelihood depends on telephones and that such people were sold houses while they were completely unaware of the fact that telephones would not be available for an unknown period? This is a matter of great urgency.
Of the 135 applications I have mentioned 26 are business applications. I do not accept that non-business applications for private telephones are not essential in their own way. We have always treated business phones as having a certain priority. The phone has become so essential that demand is exceeding supply.
123.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (a) if he is aware of the undue delay being experienced by subscribers making calls between Waterford and Dungarvan and (b) if he has any plans to bring this service to a reasonable standard.
Trunk calls between Waterford and Dungarvan are delayed at times because the trunk circuits between the two exchanges are not adequate for the increased volume of telephone traffic. Additional circuits will be provided when the underground co-axial trunk cable which has been laid between Dungarvan and Waterford is brought into service. This has been delayed because the new building in which the necessary cable terminal equipment will be installed in Dungarvan has not yet been completed.
Is the Minister aware of the problem which has arisen in the building in Dungarvan which he refers to in this question? Can the Minister give any indication as to when the problem in this building will be rectified?
I am aware that the problem arises because of the fact that the building is incomplete. We have been endeavouring, through the Office of Public Works, who will not hand over the building until it is properly completed—this is quite understandable and we do not want the building until it has been passed as satisfactory——
Is it not a fact that there is a defect in this building? How soon will it be rectified?
We have been pressing for this through the Office of Public Works and I am hoping that the building will be available shortly. Even when the building is available it will take two or three months after that date to effect the installation of the cable terminal equipment.
When will the building be handed over? Has the Minister any idea of the date?
No. I have no information on that.
124.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when Killorglin, County Kerry, will be switched over to the automatic telephone system.
It is planned to convert Killorglin exchange to automatic working within five to six years.
125.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why there was no answer from the switchboard at the Department of Social Welfare 46811 from 4.45 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday 5th November; if he is aware that this is a constant occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Many telephone calls were dealt with by the private branch exchange in the Department of Social Welfare between 4.45 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on the date in question. The staff on duty was adequate to handle the volume of traffic at that time and no reports were received of any difficulty in obtaining an answer from the switchboard. The only explanation that can be given for the failure to receive an answer during the period stated is that there was some technical fault in the exchange system which prevented the signal from registering on the switchboard. I am not aware that this type of failure is a constant occurrence.