asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the fourteen breaks this year in telephone service to subscribers in Glendoher Park, Dublin 14; and if his Department has taken steps to rectify the matter.
Written Answers. - Telephone Service.
124.
Such breaks in service as have occurred this year have been due primarily to damage to cables arising from road and building works. The existing arrangements for liaison with local authorities and building contractors to reduce the incidence of damage to cables during road and building works are under review at present.
125.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the action being taken by the Gort telephone action committee (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The circular referred to was issued on 13 October. Since then I have met a local deputation and informed them of the Department's continuing efforts to improve the service in the local area and of future plans for improvement. Accounts are being paid normally.
126.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will give details of the extension to the trunk exchange in the 091 area, which was due to be brought into service in November 1978.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Details of the extension to the Galway trunk exchange are as follows: 120 S.T.D. Trunk Metering Sets; 24 S.T.D. Registers; 240 Selectors for Incoming Trunk Circuits; 240 Selectors for Incoming Junction Circuits; 240 Selectors for Outgoing S.T.D. Circuits; 160 Selectors for switching incoming traffic to "091" numbers; 160 Relay Sets for Outgoing Junctions to local exchanges in the "091" Area; Relay Sets for 400 Outgoing Trunk Circuits; Relay Sets for 80 Incoming Circuits to Manual Switchboards.
127.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
It is expected that service will be provided for the person concerned within the next three months or so.
128.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of telephonists assigned to telephone exchanges between 18 August and 20 November 1978.
The number so assigned, that is given permanent posts in exchanges outside Dublin, was 79.
129.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why a person (details supplied) in County Offaly, has not received a telephone; if he is aware that this person made a payment in March of this year and was then refunded the money on 18 October of this year; and if he will give a full explanation in the matter.
130.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs why a person (details supplied) in County Offaly, has not had a telephone installed; if he is aware that a payment was made early in 1978 and that the payment was refunded in October 1978; and if he will give an explanation in the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Chomhairle I propose to take Questions Nos 129 and 130 together. The persons concerned were invited to sign agreements and make advance payments in March this year when it was expected that service would be provided for them within about three months. Later, however, unexpected difficulties arose in the installation of extra equipment required at the local telephone exchange to enable additional connections to be made. Because of the delay and as it was not clear when service could be given, it was decided last October that in fairness to the applicants the amounts paid should be refunded. The extra equipment is now being installed and service will be provided for the two applicants concerned within the next month or so.
I regret the delay and the inconvenience caused to them.