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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Nov 1978

Vol. 309 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Applicants.

29.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the total number of applicants on the waiting list for new telephones.

The answer is 60,000.

Arising from the Minister's reply, is it on a phased basis or on a regional basis that this 60,000 is proposed to be worked out or will there in fact be any cognisance by them of the length of wait in any particular area? What way will it be worked out?

The usual procedure is to deal with priority cases and then to deal with the applications in order of receipt. The earlier applications are dealt with first.

I am not disputing that the present practice may be the most efficient way of utilising what staff is available but is the Minister aware that the practice is that when a gang, as it is called, moves into a neighbourhood, whether it be urban or provincial, they tend to provide all applicants then on hands with service? This is contrary to what the Minister has just said about dealing with priority cases on the one hand and working from a waiting list on the other hand. It is a contrary situation.

I should have added that we would be working off the list subject to reasonable working arrangements in each area.

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