asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange for urgent improvement to the telephone service in the Millstreet/ Kanturk/Newmarket area, County Cork.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
89.
The service at Kanturk has been improved following the provision of a new suite of switchboards and extra trunk circuits to Cork. Additional trunk circuits which are due to be brought into operation between Newmarket and Cork within the next two months will improve the service at Newmarket. An extra switchboard is needed at Millstreet exchange. It will be installed as soon as additional accomodation can be provided there.
90.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will establish a second public telephone kiosk in Portlaw, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Not at present. The town is considered to be reasonably well served by the telephone kiosk at the Square which is not heavily used.
91.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applicants for new telephones in County Cork at 30th September 1974 and the number on the corresponding date in 1973; the present average waiting time for installation; and how this relates to the average waiting time last year.
Although there was an increase of 6 per cent approximately, in the number of connections made during the year ended 30th September, 1974, as compared with the previous year, the waiting list grew from 4,120 to 5,660 because the number of applications received exceeded the higher connection rate.
The best estimate that can be made of the average waiting time for installation is about 11 months a year ago, and about 13 months now.
92.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of new telephone applicants on the waiting list in the Ballincollig exchange area, County Cork; the number of connections made in the year ended 31st December 1973; the number of connections that will be made in the current year to 31st December 1974; and the number of connections it is proposed to make next year.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:— 245 waiting applications, 183 connections in 1973 and an estimated 120 and 220 in 1974 and 1975 respectively.
93.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of new telephone applicants on the waiting list in the Blarney exchange area, County Cork; the number of connections made in the year ended 31st December 1973; the number of connections that will be made in the year ended 31st December 1974; and proposed number of connections next year.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:— About 130 waiting applications; 47 connections in 1973, and an estimated 50 in 1974 and 30 in 1975.
94.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of new telephone applicants on the waiting list in the Carrigaline exchange area, County Cork; the number of connections made in the year ended 31st December 1973; the number of connections that will be made in the year ended 31st December 1974; and the proposed number of connections next year.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:— About 120 waiting applications; 21 connections in 1973, and an estimated 40 in 1974 and 90 in 1975.
95.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of telephone kiosks it is proposed to erect in County Cork next year; and the location of each one.
The telephone kiosk programme for 1975 has not yet been settled but when it has I will be glad to communicate the requested information to the Deputy.
When it is likely to be settled?
I hope it will be settled very shortly. I should not like to give a date, but I will communicate with the Deputy.
96.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that Carrick-on-Shannon telephone exchange, County Leitrim, is inadequately staffed, that there are insufficient lines to deal efficiently with the number of calls passing through the exchange and that there is not sufficient staff in Dublin to deal with the calls expeditiously; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Arrangements have already been made to strengthen the staffing at Carrick-on-Shannon. Additional trunk circuits were provided recently and further circuits will be provided within the next couple of months. I am not aware of any staffing difficulty in Dublin affecting the service at Carrick-on-Shannon.
Is the Minister aware of the grave difficulties caused because of this and will he guarantee that further circuits will be supplied.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is difficult to provide hard guarantees in such cases. I am aware that the service at Carrick-on-Shannon exchange was unsatisfactory. This was due to a combination of factors, including high sick leave among the telephonists, inadequate or unsatisfactory trunk circuit outlets, and so on. An officer from headquarters met the staff representatives early last month and assured them that there would be follow-up action on the various grievences expressed. I hope this will lead to a satisfactory position and, if it does not, I shall be glad to co-operate with the Deputy.