asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applicants on the waiting list for telephone installations in County Roscommon; the reason for the long delay in carrying out such works; and the action it is intended to take to redress this appalling situation.
Written Answers. - County Roscommon Telephone Service.
420.
There are about 730 applicants waiting for service at the 42 exchanges in County Roscommon. Service is being provided for some 50 of these at present.
The delay in installing telephones in County Roscommon, as in other areas, has been due to the fact that the Department's resources of manpower, plant and buildings have been inadequate.
Resources are being expanded as quickly as possible to enable more connections to be made and the standard of service to be improved. It is expected that connections to Roscommon exchange and to ten adjoining exchanges, which have been restricted for some time past because of a shortage of plant serving the area, will begin to be made on a general basis within the next three months or so when additional plant is provided.