asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will consider the provision of a public telephone for Saleen, Cloyne, County Cork, where 45 households, of which 17 per cent are elderly people and 41 per cent are without transport, are without a phone; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Dublin South-Central): It is not the practice at present to provide telephone kiosks in places such as Saleen where there is no post office.

: We were informed by the previous Minister that Saleen would be supplied with a public telephone on condition that it would be cared for by the local authority. This was taken up with the local authority at a public meeting but the county manager felt it was not their function to look after telephones. I suppose it is hard to disagree with that. In view of this commitment to this village, would the Minister reconsider his decision if the telephone were located in the garden of a private premises where it could be supervised?

(Dublin South-Central): The Deputy is quite right with regard to the Cork County Council. In August 1976 they advised the Department that they had been requested to have kiosks provided in a number of places in the county, including Saleen. They were informed that the Department would be prepared to provide the kiosks under guarantee and the usual terms were quoted to the council. However, in February 1977 the council replied indicating that they did not propose to proceed with the matter. If the county council submit another application the Department will facilitate them.

: The council do not think it is their function to look after telephone equipment. If we could find a suitable location on private premises, even in somebody's home would the Minister reconsider the matter?

(Dublin South-Central): It is not just a question of location. At this time the Department do not consider that it would merit erecting a kiosk in Saleen.

: Why should local authorities do the job for which the Minister's Department are responsible? Why should they install telephones? The attitude of the Minister and his predecessors has been that they will provide a kiosk if there a profit to be made. However, if has to be subsidised the ratepayers a expected to pay. I do not agree that local authorities should be asked provide telephone kiosks.

(Dublin South-Central): I do not believe that Opposition Deputies expect a telephone kiosk at every crossroads in the country. The cost of erecting and maintaining a public kiosk is £375 per annum. We must be practical in this matter.

: The Minister is saying that county councils should do this work.

: The area in question is particularly remote and old people may have difficulty in contacting their doctor. I would appeal to the Minister to reconsider the matter. Apparently the question of maintaining the telephone kiosk arose because of vandalism—this is the situation in every village. If we were to have the 'phone installed in somebody's house, would the Minister reconsider the matter? That is all I am asking.

(Dublin South-Central): My information is that there are 15 telephones in the village and a coin box 'phone is available. The nearest kiosk is two and a half miles away.

: There is no coin box telephone available.

(Dublin South-Central): My information is that there is.

17.