asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the practice of requiring five years' rent in advance in the case of the installation of a telephone which is situated more than three miles from the central exchange renders it difficult for some persons to instal a telephone owing to the initial expense; and, if having regard to the hardship involved he will review the question of initial payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Advance Telephone Rentals.
87.
Mr. Barrett
I do not accept that the advance rental requirement is a deterrent in cases in which there is genuine need of the service, or that it involves hardship.
I should make it clear, of course, that the number of installations more than three miles from an exchange is negligible. The cost of these telephones is disproportionate, however, and in general they are entirely uneconomic.