asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will make a statement concerning the recent circular of March 1980, from the accountant of his Department issued to subscribers stating that it has not been possible to bring the issue of telephone accounts up to date and, that it has been decided not to issue the normal accounts for the January-March quarter but combine them with the April-June account to be issued in May 1980 to cover rental for the six months period January to June 1980 and the charges for calls made in the period October 1979 to March 1980, and if he will outline the collection procedures in cases where hardship may arise in the payment of these accounts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Issue of Telephone Accounts.
31.
The position generally in relation to the issue of telephone accounts is as stated in the circular letter issued to all subscribers. Telephone accounts could not issue during the postal strike last year and despite every effort to recover the lost ground the issue of the last quarter's accounts for 1979 was almost three months later than normal. Accordingly, the issue of a further combined account for the first two quarters of the current year has been necessary in order to bring the telephone accounting cycle back to normal. In accordance with practice, a reasonable period of time will be allowed in which to pay the combined accounts and in cases of hardship sympathetic consideration will be given to requests from subscribers to delay payment or to pay by instalment over a period.
Question No. 32 is for written reply.