Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 4

Written Answers. - Telecom Éireann Call Areas.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

31 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if, in the context of his discussions with Telecom Éireann on the system of charges for telephone calls, he will investigate (1) the inordinate number of telephone codes in County Galway and (2) the question of local call charges within the county.

Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications (Mr. S. Brennan)

The question of the telephone codes used to access various parts of the telephone network is an operational matter for Telecom Éireann and is one in which it would not be appropriate for me to intervene. However, the recent announcement by Telecom Éireann of the expansion of the local call areas will give increased local call coverage to 75 per cent of customers outside the 01 area. This applies also to customers in County Galway and so the fact of different codes in an area will not be so important from the point of view of charging for calls.

For example, the Ballinasloe area, which covers the Loughrea, Athlone and Banagher areas at present will be extended to cover Portumna, Tuam, Roscommon and Castlerea areas. At present the Ballinasloe area gives local call access to 16,000 lines and this will be extended to 29,000 when the expansion announced by Telecom Éireann takes effect.

As another example, I would quote the Castlerea area which has local access to over 11,000 other customers. In January next this area will be expanded to the Ballinasloe and Tuam areas to the south/south-west as well as Boyle and Carrick-on-Shannon to the north. This will increase local access to over 26,000 numbers.

While this may not completely satisfy the needs of all subscribers in County Galway the Deputy will appreciate that it is a change for the better.