asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that long delays are experienced by Cork telephone subscribers and the public generally when calling the exchange preliminary to sending telegrams or making trunk calls; that these delays are attributed to staff shortages and, if so, if he will take steps to remedy the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Delays.
The standard of service at Cork trunk exchange has hitherto been, on the whole, satisfactory. During sudden bursts of traffic occasional calls may be delayed, as it is not possible to deal with calling signals in the order in which they appear.
Sufficient operating staff is provided to meet the requirements of the traffic The position is being kept under review and the staff will be increased when growth of traffic warrants an increase.
Is the Minister aware that the operators of the Cork Telephone Exchange are the victims of persistent complaints, to put it mildly, from the public by reason of the delay in answering trunk and other calls? Is he further aware that, when the recent switch over to the automatic exchange took place in Cork, many Cork girls were transferred to different parts of the country, and that many of them are now available for retransfer home should the Minister see his way so to retransfer them?
I am not so aware. Of the general complaints, we have had only 24, although we have over 10,000 calls during any one week. The operating staff, as I have said, will be increased when it is warranted. As to what particular persons will be transferred to Cork, I am not now in a position to say.