asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that claims have been persistently made for the installation of a telephone service in various sub-post offices in South Kerry; and, if so, if he will state in what offices such installations will be made in the current financial year and within what period the other sub-post offices are likely to be catered for.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kerry Telephone Facilities.
I am aware that repeated requests have been made for installation of public telephones in various post offices in South Kerry. The same can be said of many other places in the country.
There are some 700 rural post offices that have still to be provided with a public telephone. One hundred and thirty-seven of these are scheduled for attention in the current financial year including the following in South Kerry: Aughatubrid, Bonane, Castletown Kinneigh, Faha, Gneeveguilla, Kilgobnet, Tahilla, Blennerville. It is expected to complete the entire programme including six offices remaining in South Kerry, in the next five years.
Is the Minister aware that of the list of offices with which he is dealing only one pertains to that area to which it is intended to extend artificial insemination from the Castleisland station? Would he review the matter in relation to priority so that sub-post offices within that area would obtain priority?
Has the Minister decided on an office for Cromane, County Kerry?
No.
May I ask the Minister to consider what the first Deputy has said, as telephone facilities are an integral part of the successful operation of an artificial insemination service such as is being instituted in Kerry?