asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reasons why there are so many local faults on the Dublin telephone network; and when they will be effectively eliminated.
Written Answers. - Telephone Service.
56.
While the incidence of faults occurring on the Dublin telephone network generally is not excessive, subscribers in areas served by some of the older automatic exchanges may experience difficulty in making local calls during the busy day periods because of overloading of the exchange equipment. The existing exchange at Rathmines will be replaced next year by a new exchange which will give a much improved service to Rathmines subscribers and also to subscribers at present served by Terenure exchange. Tenders have been sought for a new exchange to replace Crown Alley exchange for which a building is in course of erection. In addition to this, switching equipment is already in course of installation or on order for almost all other exchanges as well as for a number of new exchanges in the "01" area. All of these measures are designed to provide a satisfactory service for subscribers and to cater for development. All telephone networks are subject to faults arising from equipment failures, damage or misuse and it would not be possible to ensure that such faults would be eliminated.
57.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reasons for the delays in the completion of two contracts for the installation of additional equipment in the Cork automatic exchange network for trunk calls between Dublin and Cork; whether any penalties are recoverable from the concerns responsible for such delays; and when the work will be completed and the new equipment in operation.
Some equipment included in one of the contracts was brought into service on time. Completion of installation of the remaining equipment was delayed owing to late delivery of material, shortage of contractor's installation staff and a strike of about two months duration by this staff.
It is considered unlikely that any penalties are recoverable from the contractor. Work will be completed this week when the last of the equipment will be put into operation, much of it having been brought into service as the work proceeded.