asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the areas in County Limerick in which it is hoped to erect public telephone kiosks in the next two years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
58.
The areas in which it is hoped to provide kiosks during the present financial year are: Askeaton, Knockanevin, Athlacca, Lisnagry, Ballyorgan, Moylish (Limerick city), Elton, Mungret, Fedamore, Reens, Kilteely, Grange (Kilmallock).
Two of these kiosks have already been provided—at Moylish and Kilteely.
I regret I cannot give the information the Deputy wants for the coming financial year as the programme for that year is not likely to be settled until early in 1974. As soon as I have the data I shall be happy to suply it.
When the programme for County Limerick was being prepared, can the Minister state if it conformed in all respects to the criteria the Minister has set out for the rest of Ireland?
That is an interesting question. If the Deputy wishes to put down a specific question I shall answer it. I have not the full data before me.
If the Minister or the Deputy were familiar with the geography of County Limerick I do not think the question would arise. Most of these areas are in east Limerick.
I do not know if that is completely the case. They are not all in east Limerick.
I said most of the areas.
59.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why the time span between the date of collection of deposit and charges from new telephone subscribers and the actual installation date has increased so much in the Cork area.
The Deputy is quite right that the time span has increased, and I regret this very much. The delay is due to the very heavy volume of engineering work on hands in the Cork area, which has also caused other unfortunate but inevitable inconvenience to subscribers. I am taking all possible steps to improve the connection rate in the Cork area.
60.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is hoped to provide automatic telephone service in the Newcastle West-Listowel-Rathkeale area.
It is hoped to provide automatic telephone service at Abbeyfeale, Ballybunion, Listowel and Tarbert in late 1975 or early 1976 and at Newcastle West, Foynes and Rathkeale towards the end of 1976.
61.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the total number of public telephone kiosks being provided during the present financial year.
The answer is 250.