asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the equipment necessary to provide extension of phone services in Kildare town, Newbridge, Naas and Athy, County Kildare will be provided.

(Dublin South-Central): By mid-1980 at Kildare, Newbridge and Athy, and 1981 at Naas.

Is the Minister aware that the waiting period in those towns is estimated by Post Office officials to be at least two years? Knowing such estimates, that probably means four years. In my constituency there is no possibility of new phones for two years or more.

(Dublin South-Central): A mobile exchange having 1,000 lines will go into service in Athy in mid-1980. Interim relief will be provided by a second mobile exchange in Naas, also having 1,000 lines and coming into service in mid-1980. Interim relief is being provided pending the building of exchanges.

Will this interim relief meet the current demand, never mind the demand which will exist by mid-1980?

(Dublin South-Central): One thousand lines will be provided and this is very substantial. In September 1979 the number of applications in Kildare was 65; Newbridge, 360; Naas, 190; and Athy, 60. There should not be any problems when the mobile exchanges are in operation.

13.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if a public telephone kiosk will be provided at Tullywest, Kildare, County Kildare.

(Dublin South-Central): The cost of providing and maintaining a telephone kiosk at Tullywest would be so far in excess of likely receipts that provision of a kiosk in the area would not be warranted.

Does the Minister consider that a telephone kiosk is not warranted in an area having 150 houses and a population of 400?

(Dublin South-Central): It is strictly a residential area and 20 of the houses have private telephones.

That is a great consolation to the rest.

Is the Minister aware that it is a mile to the nearest telephone?

(Dublin South-Central): We might look at the matter if the Deputy could convince his local authority to make some application in regard to funding.

The local authority have been very generous but they take action only where the Department refuse to provide a telephone because it would not be a paying proposition. In this instance there is a case to be made for the provision of a telephone by the Department. Will the Minister look into the matter?

(Dublin South-Central): I will, but I cannot make any promises.