asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his attention has been drawn to the very poor telephone service experienced by subscribers at Gurteen, Ballinasloe, County Galway, and the plans, if any, to alleviate the problem.
Written Answers. - Telephone Service.
32.
I am aware that the standard of telephone service there is less than satisfactory.
Improvement of the service at Gurteen is dependent mainly on provision of a new exchange at Ballinasloe which is the trunk switching centre for Gurteen. This is expected to be in service in the first half of 1981. A bigger automatic exchange will be opened at Gurteen at the same time. Some relief has been given at Gurteen by the provision of additional trunk circuits to Woodlawn recently.
35.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway who is an old age pensioner.
There is no record of receipt of an application from the person named but one has now been recorded. Pending the carrying out of the necessary engineering survey it is not possible to say when service could be provided.
36.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory service available at Castlerea, County Roscommon, telephone exchange and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that on occasions, but particularly at night, the standard of service at Castlerea is not satisfactory. Action is being taken to improve the position and some improvement has already taken place.
41.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will have a telephone service provided as a matter of urgency for a firm (details supplied) in Dublin whose business is severely affected due to the lack of service.
One line was provided for the company on 28 February 1980. The remainder of the company's requirements will be met when the necessary additional cable becomes available in about four months' time.
42.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is intended to provide a direct link between the (024) Youghal and (058) Dungarvan telephone areas as promised last year, as the present link is highly unsatisfactory.
I assume that the reference to a promise given last year relates to a reply given to a question by the Deputy in November 1978, to the effect that additional circuits "to remedy the shortage in the links between the two areas" would be provided. Additional circuits between Cork and Waterford, from which Youghal and Dungarvan benefited, were provided but more are needed to cope with the growing volume of telephone traffic on these routes. These are expected to be provided early next year. In the meantime, the position will be relieved when a new mobile exchange is installed in Youghal this autumn.
49.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the delay in providing a telephone service for an applicant (details supplied) in County Mayo, and when service will be provided.
Arrangements to provide service within the next week or so are already in train. The delay, which is regretted, is due to the volume of other urgent work which required attention in the area in recent months.
50.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Within the next four months or so.
51.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway, who has paid the deposit.
Arrangements to provide service within the next fortnight or so are already in train.