asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will provide a public telephone kiosk at Rath village, Birr, County Offaly.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
6.
Yes, one will be provided but because of the large number of other places with stronger claims for a kiosk it may be some considerable time before a kiosk is erected at Rath Village.
7.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether any charges, other than the installation charge and annual rental fee, are payable in advance by applicants who are successful in having telephone service applied to them.
An advance deposit against call charges is also required in some instances in addition to the connection fee and advance rental.
Will the Minister inform the house in what circumstances the advance charge for calls is made against the subscriber?
There are many instances in which the Department, from their experience in relation to particular instances might decide to ask for an advance on calls. It would not be very prudent of the Minister to tell the house about any specific situations. In general, there are certain business which, from experience in the Department, are not very good risks in relation to paying accounts. It is specifically in relation to such circumstances as those that advance charges are made.
Would the Minister tell the house if advance charges in respect of telephone calls are expected from non-nationals?
This is a matter which is for the Department to decide in relation to their experience. I am not aware of non-nationals being asked to pay but if the Deputy has experience of some instances he might communicate with me.
The Deputy has. Would the Minister give the House an undertaking that his Department will not, as a matter of policy, make advance charges against people other than Irish nationals in respect of telephone services?
Every situation will be dealt with on its merits. There will be no general across-the-board policy statement from me.
8.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the celay in the transfer of telephone service for a person (details supplied) from Galway to Dublin.
Service to this applicant is dependent on provision of a new exchange which it is expected will be completed in the third quarter of 1981.
9.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (a) the number of applicants for telephones in Waterford city and county (b) the average length of waiting time for installation of a telephone for applicants in these areas in respect of applications made in 1979; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There are about 270 waiting applicants in Waterford city and about 500 in the county. The average waiting time of applications on the waiting list is about six months in Waterford city and about 17 months in the county.
Would the Minister not agree, that while six months in this day and age seems a long time to wait for a telephone, 17 months is disgraceful? Will he inform me what steps he will take to ensure that in future people living in the rural areas of County Waterford and elsewhere do not have to wait for up to two years on average?
It is my desire that they will not have to wait. I would like to be able to give them telephones on demand. I am sure the Deputy is well aware of the steps which have been taken, are being taken and will be taken to shorten the waiting list as soon as possible. The Deputy must be fully aware of the accelerated development programme that is going on. It is on target and that is the best that can be done. There are no overnight solutions to the problem.
I am not aware of any increased activity in County Waterford in respect of telephones. Would the Minister not agree that if the average waiting time is 17 months there are applicants on the waiting list for three years?
I fully accept from the Deputy that there may well be applicants waiting three years but the Deputy appears to be oblivious of the fact that we were down to six months average time in Waterford city, which is quite good. I might also inform the Deputy that the target set by me for the Waterford district will be met at the end of this year.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister not agree that six months is a disgraceful length to be waiting for a telephone in what is supposed to be a progressive economy, which it is not, but that in rural areas, where people have to wait for up to three years before they get a telephone it is a crying shame? Would the Minister indicate to me, specifically, what steps he is taking in County Waterford to speed up the installation of telephones?
I have told the Deputy that the target for Waterford district is being met. The Deputy cannot be oblivious to the fact that considerable progress is being made all around the country, including Waterford city.
Would the Minister contact me in relation to the specific steps he is taking to speed up telephone services in Waterford city and county?
Certainly.
What will the Minister do about the people in Donegal who are waiting six years?
10.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will provide a public telephone kiosk at Upper Carey's Road, Limerick City, as there is a substantial demand for this facility.
It is proposed to provide an additional telephone kiosk to serve the general needs of the area. In selecting a site the needs of Upper Carey's Road will be born in mind.
11.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when it is proposed to provide automatic telephone facilities in the Castletownbere, Ballydehob and Baltimore areas of south west Cork.
12.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when an automatic telephone exchange will be provided for Baltimore, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when Baltimore, Ballydehob and Church Cross, County Cork will be provided with automatic telephone exchanges; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12 and 13 together. It is expected that automatic telephone facilities will be provided at Castletownbere. Ballydehob, Baltimore and Church Cross in the first half of 1982.
What exchange will they be attached to? Is it proposed to have a separate exchange in the Bantry area?
Bantry is separate, Castletownbere is a separate exchange, Ballydehob and Church Cross will be together and Baltimore is a separate exchange.
Will Castletownbere be attached to the Bantry exchange?
Castletownbere is a separate exchange.