asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of outstanding applications for telephone connections, giving the date of application, in each of the following cases: (1) Waterford City area, (2) Dungarvan area, and (3) the rest of County Waterford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Telephone Applications.
52.
The numbers of applications outstanding in the areas in question are (1) 30, (2) 40 and (3) 130. The dates of the earliest applications are (1) September, 1961, (2) June, 1960 and (3) November, 1960 respectively.
Can the Minister indicate how it is that applicants from Dungarvan had telephones installed within a fortnight, without having any special circumstances in their favour, in view of the fact that all these people have been waiting for years almost?
The Deputy will have to give me notice of that question, as I have no knowledge of it.
Could the Minister say if it will be possible to give this much needed facility to the people of Waterford city and county or is any attempt being made at all to instal telephones?
First, the demand rate in the Dungarvan area for new telephones is high and, secondly, it was necessary to strengthen or erect aerial cabling in a number of places serving new applicants. That work is in progress and has not been completed.