asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will outline the working of the priority system in relation to telephone applications, identifying the categories involved, and the estimated number of annual connections made on the basis of the priority categories.
Written Answers. - Telephone Service.
188.
The working of the priority system is outlined in the reply to a previous similar Question on 25 March 1980—Vol. 319, Col. 538. The main categories to which priority is afforded are:—
Members of the Oireachtas, Diplomats and Chairmen of Local Authorities;
Public services including central and local authorities;
Persons engaged in health services including hospitals, doctors and district nurses;
Clergymen engaged on parochial duties;
Industrial, commercial and other undertakings providing a fair amount of employment;
Businesses and professions having particular need for telephone service, for example, travel agencies, registered hotels and guest houses, solicitors, full-time journalists;
National Unions and Associations;
Existing subscribers moving to new premises;
Old Age Pensioners living alone who qualify under the Telephone Rental Subsidy Scheme operated by the Department of Social Welfare;
Members of Local Authorities;
Other applications in which really exceptional need can be shown for example on health or distress grounds.
A little over 40 per cent of connections are in respect of priority applications.
189.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the work currently outstanding before telephone service can be provided for applicants in Marsham Court, Kilmacud, County Dublin, when the work will commence, how long it will take, and when service will be provided.
Most of the work necessary to enable service to be provided for applicants for telephones in this area has already been completed. That remaining to be done is the testing of the cables recently laid in the estate, the correction of any cabling problems found and the installation of telephones. It is expected terms will be quoted to applicants in the estate during the next month and that service will be provided within a further month or so from dates of agreements.
190.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason a doctor in South Dublin (details supplied) has been refused telephone service despite the fact that she is on call in a psychiatric hospital and needs a telephone for this purpose; if he will ensure that the applicant receives priority status; and when service will be provided.
The applicant has not been refused service. The position is that service cannot be provided until the cabling works on which provision of service is dependent are completed in about two months.
Service will be provided without delay for this priority applicant when necessary cabling becomes available.
191.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when telephone service will be provided for an applicant (details supplied) in South Dublin.
Within the next two months.
The Dáil adjourned at 5 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Friday, 16 May 1980.