asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the delay in resolving a telephone account query by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare as she is a widow and her telephone account is now approaching £800.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Service.
11.
The accounts in question were the subject of protracted inquiries. These have now been completed and a settlement satisfactory to both parties has been reached.
I thank the Minister.
Is the Minister aware that there is widespread unease about allegations of persistent overcharging on a wide range of accounts? Would he ask his Department to see if these fears can be in some way allayed because this matter has become the subject of great public unease?
Question No. 11 is a specific question, dealing with a specific account, and the Deputy's question is not relevant.
I was moving from the specific to the general in this case.
You will have to stay with the specific I am afraid.
12.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is charged a business instead of a private rental; and when the matter will be rectified and credit for over-payment made to him.
The person named was charged business rental on the grounds that the telephone was being used for business purposes. The position has been reviewed at the request of the subscriber and the rental has been changed to residence rate with effect from 1 October 1982. A rebate will be included in the January 1984 account.
13.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange for the provision of a public telephone at St. Patrick's, Castleconnell, County Limerick.
The provision of a telephone kiosk at St. Patrick's, Castleconnell, is not included in the current programme, However, its merits will be considered for inclusion in a follow-on programme.
14.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will guarantee that after the vesting date of An Post and Bord Telecom Éireann all present offers of redundancy to telephonists will be equal to the present offers made by his Department.
I can confirm that the terms of the agreement relating to the position of staff who are affected by the closure of manual telephone exchanges will be open to all the staff in question after vesting day, unless in the meantime a new agreement on alternative arrangements is reached with the relevant unions. Staff employed at auto-manual exchanges who are surplus to requirements are given the option at present of accepting similar terms to those provided for in the agreement mentioned. This option will be continued after vesting date. Telephonists will not be assigned to An Post.
Could the Minister outline the offer made for redundancy payments? How much above the statutory redundancy payment is now being agreed with the unions?
It was agreed that compensation be paid to staff who opted to terminate their employment in such circumstances at the rate of six weeks pay per year of service, subject to a minimum payment of 12 weeks pay and a maximum payment of two years, in lieu of any gratuity or lump sum entitlement under the superannuation code, the Minister's fund or non-contributory pensions fund for non-established civil servants or any other statutory provision.
Would the Minister arrange to have that information conveyed directly to the staff involved? I am receiving a number of representations from the staff concerned, particularly in my constituency, and they are concerned that on vesting day An Bord Poist and An Bord Telecom will not honour the assurance given by the Minister. I want a categorical assurance from the Minister to this effect, and I want him to inform the telephonists involved. I am sure the Minister is aware that this is a traumatic time for the personnel involved and he should give them every possible support and assistance.
As I stated in my reply, I can confirm that the terms of the agreement relating to the position of staff who are affected by the closure of manual telephone exchanges will be open to all the staff in question after vesting day.
The Minister is not answering my question. I would like him to give a written assurance to individual staff members involved telling them they will be guaranteed the same rights and privileges that are being offered today. Many staff are opting for redundancies because they are afraid An Bord Post and An Bord Telecom——
A question please Deputy.
——will not honour the Minister's commitment. The Minister is clouding the issue slightly by saying that between now and the end of the year if a new agreement is made, that agreement will be honoured as well. I am talking about the offer being made now to the staff involved. Will An Bord Poist and An Bord Telecom honour those commitments?
The Deputy must be aware of the terms of the Bill which went through the House because he contributed on all Stages, and he knows the terms being offered.
Will the Minister confirm this by communicating directly with the staff?
I am calling Question No. 15.
15.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of telephone account bills disputed by subscribers at present under examination in his Department; and the total arrears due from subscribers.
Separate records are not kept of the number of telephone bills under dispute at any one time as distinct from those in regard to which additional information has been sought. The total amount of telephone revenue outstanding on telephone accounts at end September 1983 amounted to about £23.5 million out of an estimated annual revenue of about £290 million.
The Minister should have the information in his brief about the number of telephone calls which are disputed. I do not think he has given me the answer to—
A question, please, Deputy.
I am asking the Minister to answer my question.
You are not asking a question.
My question is No. 15 on the Order Paper asking the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of telephone account bills disputed by subscribers at present under examination in his Department.
When I tried to guide the Deputy he was making a short speech commenting on the answer and that is not in order. I would encourage the Deputy to ask a question.
Will the Ceann Comhairle give me guidance as to whether that question has been answered?
That is not part of the function of the Chair.
The amount is £23.5 million.
The amount is £23.5 million.
An amount of £23.5 million is at this stage disputed by consumers and the number of people involved indicates that there is something radically wrong with the system.
Will the Deputy please ask a question?
It could be 23,000 people. It could be 45,000 subscribers.
Will the Deputy ask a question?
How many subscribers are in dispute with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs at present?
It is very hard to identify how many of those subscribers are in dispute with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and identifying what a subscriber wants may be a problem. They may write in looking for additional information. They may write in about the rental of the telephone or about the amount they have been charged. These cannot be described as disputes until all available avenues have been explored and it can be said clearly that they differ from the Department in what they are talking about.
The Minister is covering up the whole situation.
I am insisting that the Deputy ask a question.
I am asking the Minister a question. In view of the amount of money due is it not time that he instituted a major review of the accounts system in his Department which is totally chaotic and he is doing nothing about it?
(Interruptions.)
Order for Deputy McEllistrim.
I can remember well what I am talking about.
A parish in my constituency became automatic recently and everyone in that parish is dissatisfied with his account. If I bring that to the notice of the Minister will he have all of them investigated?
If the Deputy will bring that to my notice I will have everyone there investigated for him.
Uimhir 16.
Has the Minister received a report of a body chaired by Mr. M. G. Ryan, Accountant, in relation to the accounts of his Department? This investigation was initiated by myself and Deputy Wilson, former Minister, 12 months ago. Has the Minister received their report?
No, not to date.