(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applicants for telephones on the waiting list at the end of March, 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
14.
About 43,000.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister give any indication of what is the longest period some of those applicants have been waiting to have telephones installed?
The longest period is since 1972.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister give any indication of how soon he expects to have this list at least reduced considerably? It seems to be expanding all the time.
It has been expanding. The expansion is flattening out and the rate of connection—which is, of course, the key element in how fast this can be reduced—is increasing. In 1974 there were 30,700 connections and in 1975 36,400, which, as the Deputy will appreciate is a fair rate of expansion.
Could the Minister give us any indication of where those connections were carried out? I should like to know whether there is any reduction at all in rural areas. I am constantly writing about the matter, getting very polite letters but no telephones.
I have not available before me at the moment a breakdown of these figures, but I will endeavour to procure it for the Deputy and, particularly, particulars of connections in the area with which he is most directly concerned.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister state how many applicants are awaiting installation of telephones since 1972?
I am sorry, I inadvertently misled the House. There are a few applications from earlier on: one from 1970, three from 1971, 700 from 1972, 5,400 from 1973, 10,800 from 1974, 20,000 from 1975, the largest category, and 6,500 from 1976.
(Dublin Central): Is the Minister aware that there is total dissatisfaction in the commercial and private sectors throughout the country about the telephone service? Could he give any indication of the future developments he has in mind to improve this widespread situation?
As the Deputy is well aware, there has unfortunately been dissatisfaction on this score for many years. All the Minister can do about this is, first, to ensure adequate capital intake for expansion and, secondly to try to see that the maximum value is got out of that. I would draw attention again to the fact that, as far as new connections are concerned, the best thing that can be done it to step up the rate, and that is being done. That is a significant rise to which I drew attention here. There are also many other problems in connection with the telephone service and I would like to discuss these at any length Deputies required on the Estimate for my Department. I do not think I can cover that entire ground in relation to a supplementary question.
15.
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of private telephones now in service at Knocklyon Woods, Templeogue, County Dublin; the number of those installations that qualified for top priority; and if he will indicate when the remaining applicants of that estate can expect service.
There are about 50 private telephones in service in the area in question, of which two qualified for top priority. It is expected that service will be provided for the bulk of the remaining applicants during the third quarter of this year and the balance before the end of the year or early next year.
16.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the unusually long delay in transferring the telephone from the hallway in the home of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to another room in the house as requested last January.
The delay has been due to exceptional pressure of engineering work generally in the area. It is expected that the removal in question will be completed during the coming week.
Would the Minister not agree that this job would take no longer than one hour's work by a technician and an apprentice?
Normally the work should have been completed within a few weeks. Regrettably, I am informed that delay had built up in completing minor internal work of this nature in the Tralee area because of abnormal demand for such works and diversion of staff to urgent maintenance work following, first, the January storms and then industrial action by engineering staff in February. The engineering staff employed on this work was augmented with a view to clearing the arrears of orders and they are at present engaged in completing the orders on hand from the Dingle portion of the Tralee area which includes Ballydavid.
17.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have the installation of private telephones in the Darndale Estate, Coolock, Dublin, commenced immediately.
Installation work will commence according as local cabling is completed in various parts of the estate. It is expected that service will be provided for the majority of the waiting applicants during the last quarter of this year and for the remainder during the first quarter of 1977.
18.
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applicants for telephone service to date to whom deposits were returned because of excessive delay in providing the service.
One since the 1st January last.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister give any indication of the amount of revenue held by the Department in respect of deposits placed for the installation of telephones.
I do not have that figure here but if the Deputy would put down a separate question I will try to answer it.
19.
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the circumstances that would warrant a temporary overhead route in advance of main cabling in order to provide telephone service.
Temporary overhead route is provided exceptionally in advance of main cabling only in cases where the following three conditions apply: (1) the application is of a top-priority kind, for example, a practicing medical doctor; (2) the cabling is not likely to be completed for some considerable time; and (3) the work required to provide the overhead route is not abnormal.
I did not understand that this service would be available to a medical practitioner.
If appropriate, yes.
It is appropriate.