andMr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason the contracts office at 12 South Mall, Cork, has been closed to the public, the amount of advance notice given; if it is intended to reopen the office and if so, when.
Written Answers. - Cork Contracts Office.
198.
The office has not been closed to the public. However, in order to enable staff there to overtake a backlog of work created by a temporary staffing shortage due to recruitment problems, and by an increase in the rate of applications for telephones, the Department by newspaper advertisement on 18 February asked the public to refrain for the time being from making inquiries on non-urgent matters. The need for this restraint is expected to continue for at least a further few weeks.