asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the steps he proposes to take to deal with the recent findings concerning the high proportion of public telephone booths out of order in the city of Dublin for various reasons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Telephone Kiosks.
19.
I assume that the question refers to media reports that a group which had carried out a random survey of public telephone kiosks in certain areas in Dublin claimed that a high proportion of them were out of order and wanted special action to prevent vandalism.
It is the position, regrettably, that at any one time many public telephones are out of order due primarily to a high incidence of vandalism, particularly over weekends. The vandalism ranges from blocking the coin shutes or stealing the handset to complete destruction of the kiosks.
My Department have taken various measures over the years to try to reduce the incidence of damage including reinforcing the coinboxes, replacing glass by special strengthened plastic, improving the lights of the kiosks and more frequent maintenance attention. Telephone kiosks are examined five times a week at least and the busiest ones more frequently. Last year approximately £115,000 was spent in repairing damaged kiosks. An order has been placed for a new type of coinbox installation which is specially strengthened and includes a number of features designed to prevent theft and vandalism and it is expected to have a substantial number of these in use in Dublin over the next year.
Ways of improving the position are kept under review and if it is found that any further action that can reasonably be taken that would result in an improvement it will be taken.