asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the telephone subscribers in Banagher, Cloghan, Ferbane and Lusmagh areas of County Offaly are anxious that the telephone connections would be through Birr telephone exchange and that they would be given the Birr code under the new telephone system; if he intends to use the Birr code for these areas; if so, if he will ensure that the telephone service is the one code number for this whole area, in view of the fact that this whole area would be very closely connected for business purposes and it would be necessary to have the same telephone numbers.
Written Answers. - Telephone Service.
496.
I am not so aware.
For economic and technical reasons it has been decided that under automatic conditions telephone traffic to and from these areas will be routed through Athlone switching centre. In consequence they will be given the Athlone STD code (0902) rather than that for Birr (0509). Arrangements are already well advanced on this basis and it is expected that automatic service will be provided in the Banagher, Cloghan, Ferbane and Lusmagh areas early next year.
Under automatic conditions subscribers in these areas will have the facility of direct dialling to the Birr area at the existing local call charge rate and their call charges to other places will also remain unchanged.
497.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13.
I understand fully the frustration felt at the delay in providing telephones. Regrettably, however, it will not be possible to meet this application until necessary additional engineering work is carried out.
The objective of the Department's current telephone development programme is to provide a fully satisfactory telephone service nationally in terms of both quality and availability by the end of 1984 and it is expected that service will be provided for the person named within about a year.
498.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan.
It has not been possible to trace an application on behalf of the person named. If the Deputy can furnish additional information, e.g. when and where the application was made, a further effort will be made to trace it.
499.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the telephone kiosk at Loughanure, Annagry, County Donegal, will be repaired as it is essential that it be repaired immediately and as it is used by Irish scholars who visit the area at weekends.
It is expected that the Kiosk will be restored to service within the next week or so.
500.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the location of telephone kiosks in County Donegal which will be erected and commissioned by the end of this year.
It is planned to provide new kiosks at the following locations in Donegal by end 1983: Ard Colgan; Ballyshannon; Cloontagh, Clonmany; Glentogher; Letterkenny, Ardcolmcille; Letterkenny, Ballyraine Estate; Liscooley Housing Estate; Meen Banaid; Seassaigh O'Neill; Umlagh, Carrigart.
It is expected that the kiosks already erected at the following locations will be brought into service by the end of 1983; Letterkenny — Lower Main Street; Cashelnagor; Creagh, Dunkeneally.