asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will ensure that his Department will bring about a considerable improvement in the quality of telephone service in the 024 area of West Waterford, with particular reference to links with the adjoining 058 area, which are extremely poor at present.
Written Answers. - Telephone Service.
120.
The service in the 024 area will be considerably improved when a substantial number of extra trunk circuits are provided to remedy a shortage in the links between the two areas mentioned in the Deputy's question. The extra circuits will, it is expected, be brought into service early in the first quarter of next year.
121.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the delay involving telephone connections in the Farranfore area of County Kerry; and the number of applicants awaiting connections.
It has been due to a shortage of equipment in the local exchange and to the volume of engineering work in hands and awaiting attention in the area. There are 90 applicants awaiting service at the exchange of whom about 35 will be offered service shortly.
122.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have an all-night telephone service provided for Rylane, County Cork.
The exchange in question is one of some hundreds of small manually operated exchanges in sub-post offices where the difficulties and costs of providing for all-night operator attendance would be out of all proportion to the numbers of extra calls likely to be made. I regret therefore I am unable to meet the Deputy's request.