asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applicants for telephones in Cork city and county, and the cause of the delay in meeting the demand.

The numbers are, respectively, 212 and 671. More than half of the waiting applicants in Cork city and more than one-third of those in the rest of County Cork will be given service within the next few months. The delay in clearing applications is due to arrears of construction work necessitated by increased demand for telephone services.