Written Answers. - Telephone Service.

Tuesday, 31 May 1983

Dáil Eireann Debate
Vol. 343 No. 1

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619.

Mr. R. Bruton: Information on Richard Bruton  Zoom on Richard Bruton  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the telephone receiver of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 will be repaired as the fault was first reported in October.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It is expected that the fault will be repaired within a day or so.

620.

Mr. Molloy: Information on Robert Molloy  Zoom on Robert Molloy  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Service has been provided for the person named.

621.

Mr. O'Malley: Information on Desmond J. O'Malley  Zoom on Desmond J. O'Malley  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has had his telephone disconnected twice for non-payment of bills which his Department has acknowledged are not due; the reason he has been charged rental while disconnected; the reason his Department have refused to give him a new number and insists that he maintains the old number although that number is the same as a public call box, the calls on which are debited to him; and when this telephone will be reconnected.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  The subscriber was disconnected for non-payment of his telephone account. The Department have not at any time acknowledged that the accounts are not due. Service will be restored if [61] the subscriber pays the outstanding telephone account promptly.

It is standard practice to charge rental while a telephone agreement remains in force. The telephone number of the person in question is not the same as that of a public coin-box. The question of a change of telephone number will be considered when the account is paid.

622.

Mrs. O'Rourke: Information on Mary O'Rourke  Zoom on Mary O'Rourke  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service connection will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about six months.

623.

Dr. McCarthy: Information on Seán McCarthy  Zoom on Seán McCarthy  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about six months.

624.

Mr. Yates: Information on Ivan Yates  Zoom on Ivan Yates  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will consider retaining a person (details supplied) in County Wexford as a temporary employee with his Department.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  As the person named was appointed in a purely temporary capacity his employment was terminated after the scheduled period.

625.

Mr. Yates: Information on Ivan Yates  Zoom on Ivan Yates  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the new telephone exchange facilities will be expedited in the Wexford area to provide for a large backlog of applications for telephone installations.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It is expected that the new telephone exchange at Wexford will be brought into service about October next.

626.

Mr. Yates: Information on Ivan Yates  Zoom on Ivan Yates  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will give details of his Department's proposals for [62] the provision of public telephone kiosks and pay-phones for 1983, 1984 and 1985 in County Wexford; and if he will give installation dates and locations.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It is not possible to give details of the kiosks to be provided in County Wexford during 1983, 1984 and 1985 as the kiosk programme is now under review because of the present financial situation. I will let the Deputy know the position when the review is completed.

It is expected that all public coin-boxes in County Wexford will be replaced by payphones before the end of 1983 and all kiosks provided in future will be equipped with payphones.

627.

Miss Harney: Information on Mary Harney  Zoom on Mary Harney  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has provided a telephone service for an applicant (details supplied) in County Dublin.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about a month.

628.

Miss Harney: Information on Mary Harney  Zoom on Mary Harney  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Telephone service has been provided for the person named.

629.

Miss Harney: Information on Mary Harney  Zoom on Mary Harney  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has provided a telephone transfer for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It is regretted that it has not been possible to transfer telephone service for the person named as yet. Present indications are that the transfer will be effected towards the end of this year.

It was expected that the necessary engineering work would have been completed by now.

Regrettably this was not possible because of the need to divert staff to other urgent work.

[63]630.

Miss Harney: Information on Mary Harney  Zoom on Mary Harney  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he has yet provided a telephone transfer for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  A transfer of service has been provided for the party named.

631.

Miss Harney: Information on Mary Harney  Zoom on Mary Harney  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when he will provide a telephone transfer for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Terms were quoted to the person named. The application has been cancelled in the absence of a response.

632.

Miss Harney: Information on Mary Harney  Zoom on Mary Harney  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone transfer will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about a month.

633.

Mr. M. Ahern: Information on Michael Ahern  Zoom on Michael Ahern  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will investigate a telephone bill for a person (details supplied) in County Cork.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  The account in this case has been rechecked and was found to be correct as issued.

634.

Mr. M. Ahern: Information on Michael Ahern  Zoom on Michael Ahern  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have an investigation carried out at the telephone exchange at Carrigtwohill, County Cork, as many people in the area are receiving exorbitant bills and it is rumoured that the mechanics are faulty.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  The metering equipment at Carrigtwohill Exchange has been checked and found to be in proper working order. Individual complaints about bills issued will be investigated separately if they arise.

[64]635.

Mr. J. Walsh: Information on Joe Walsh  Zoom on Joe Walsh  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have a telephone installed in the public telephone kiosk erected in November 1982 at Presentation, Kinsale, County Cork.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It is expected that a pay-phone will be installed within the next two weeks or so.

636.

Mr. J. O'Leary: Information on John O'Leary  Zoom on John O'Leary  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the reason for the long delay in erecting a public telephone kiosk at Emlaghpeiste, near Portmagee P.O., Killarney, County Kerry, under Kerry County Council's guarantee scheme.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Towards the end of 1983.

637.

Mr. J. O'Leary: Information on John O'Leary  Zoom on John O'Leary  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about a year.

638.

Mr. V. Brady: Information on Vincent Brady  Zoom on Vincent Brady  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will investigate a telephone account for a person (details supplied) in Dublin as it is alleged by him that there has been serious and substantial overcharge for a period of over two years and which on investigation by the telephone accounts department the complaint was accepted as valid; and if he will ensure that even at this late stage that he will receive the appropriate credit without further delay.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  This subscriber's line was disconnected for non-payment of account from November, 1980 until June 1981. At that time complaints of faulty service were thoroughly investigated and were found not to be justified. The subscriber has not yet cleared all outstanding accounts. The subscriber will be contacted [65] again and the position discussed with her.

639.

Mr. Hilliard: Information on Colm M. Hilliard  Zoom on Colm M. Hilliard  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone will be installed for a person (details supplied) in County Meath who paid his deposit four months ago as his neighbours paid at the same time and now have their telephones installed.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It is expected that service will be provided within about a month.

640.

Mr. Hilliard: Information on Colm M. Hilliard  Zoom on Colm M. Hilliard  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone will be installed for a person (details supplied) in County Meath as he paid his deposit last October.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about a month.

641.

Mr. Briscoe: Information on Ben Briscoe  Zoom on Ben Briscoe  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone will be installed for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 as he has been waiting for service for nearly four years.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Service will be provided as soon as possible for the person named but it is unlikely that the necessary engineering work will be completed before the end of this year.

642.

Mr. Wyse: Information on Pearse Wyse  Zoom on Pearse Wyse  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the backlog of applications for telephones in the Mahon area, Blackrock, Cork, the reason given being the shortage of telephone numbers; the steps he is taking to rectify the situation; and if he has plans for a new telephone exchange there.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  A further 1,000 line mobile exchange unit, which will be brought into service on the Douglas exchange site within the next two months, will enable telephone service to be offered to the waiting applicants in the Mahon area on a progressive basis later this year. This [66] mobile exchange will meet requirements until a 5,000 line digital exchange is brought into service at Douglas in the third quarter of next year. A new exchange is planned for the Mahon area. A site has been acquired and it is expected that tenders for the building will be invited shortly and that the new exchange will be in service in 1985.

643.

Mr. Hillard: Information on Colm M. Hilliard  Zoom on Colm M. Hilliard  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone will be installed for a person (details supplied) in County Meath as he applied for a telephone one year ago and his local exchange at Enfield, County Meath, has now gone automatic.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Next year.

644.

Mr. Gregory-Independent: Information on Tony Gregory  Zoom on Tony Gregory  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Service will be provided as soon as possible for the person named but it is unlikely that the necessary engineering work will be completed before the end of this year.

645.

Mr. J. Doyle: Information on Joseph Doyle  Zoom on Joseph Doyle  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone will be installed for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about a month.

646.

Mr. Fitzsimons: Information on James N. Fitzsimons  Zoom on James N. Fitzsimons  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Meath.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about a year.

648.

Mr. Aylward: Information on Liam Aylward  Zoom on Liam Aylward  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny as the application was made in [67] 1980 and the telephone is required for business purposes.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It is expected that service will be provided within about six months.

649.

Mr. F. Fahey: Information on Frank Fahey  Zoom on Frank Fahey  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will proceed as a matter of urgency with the erection of a telephone kiosk at Killeen Cross, Gort, County Galway, as it has been sanctioned for the past few years.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  It had been planned to provide a kiosk at Killeen Cross, Gort. However the programme for the provision of rural kiosks is under review at present in the light of the financial position generally and it is not possible at this stage to say when a kiosk may be provided at the location in question.

650.

Mr. F. Fahey: Information on Frank Fahey  Zoom on Frank Fahey  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone will be installed for a person (details supplied) in County Galway who has been granted free rental by the Department of Social Welfare.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Within about six months.

651.

Mr. Leonard:  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (a) the number of telephone kiosks erected in each county over the last five years; and (b) the number of kiosks erected in each county over the last five years under the guarantee scheme.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  The information requested by the Deputy is not kept on a county basis and extracting this information would involve considerable expense. However, the number of kiosks provided for each of the last five years is set out below:

[68] Kiosks Provided.

Year Under Department's criteria Under Guarantee Scheme Total
1978 50 22 72
1979 23 13 36
1980 54 9 63
1981 75 5 80
1982 109 11 120

652.

Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn: Information on Máire Geoghegan-Quinn  Zoom on Máire Geoghegan-Quinn  asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Galway.

Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (Mr. J. Mitchell): Information on Jim Mitchell  Zoom on Jim Mitchell  Terms have been quoted to the person named and it is expected that service will be provided within about three months after the necessary agreement has been signed.


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