asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if public telephone kiosks are available in all places where rural Garda stations have been closed down in the past ten years; and if he will give an assurance that such kiosks will be available in any place where a station may be closed in the future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Telephone Kiosks.
115.
Telephone kiosks are not available in all places where rural Garda stations have been closed down in the past ten years. In the absence of information regarding Garda stations which may be closed in the future, it is not possible to give the assurance requested by the Deputy.
Does the Minister not consider it essential where people are deprived of their Garda station that they should be provided with a public telephone so that they can communicate with the new Garda station in an emergency?
I understand that 58 Garda stations have been closed in the last ten years and the Department of Posts and Telegraphs have provided kiosks in 17 of these places. We expect to provide another six in the present year and another ten very shortly.
What means of communication do people have with the new Garda station in their area when the Department of Posts and Telegraphs have not succeeded in supplying a kiosk?
If the Deputy were to ask a specific question in relation to a particular area I could answer him.
Does the Minister feel they have adequate means of communication?
I do, yes.