asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of public telephones in the Dublin city and county areas; the number of these functioning at present; and the action he is taking to make telephones as vandal-proof as possible.

There are over 800 public telephones in the Dublin city and county areas. Unfortunately, at any given time, as many as one in every three may not be in full working order, the great majority because of vandalism.

Over the years, various steps have been taken to reduce vandalism be reinforcing of coinboxes, better lighting in kiosks, improved maintenance attention and, more recently, a new type of kiosk structure.

Early next year, a programme to replace over a period of a few years most existing public telephones in Dublin with a new type if installation will commence. The new coinboxes, which will include a facility for dialling STD calls, have been designed with a view to reducing significantly the risk of vandalism or theft.

Would the Minister accept that one of the reasons why telephones are vandalised is that when they are situate in an enclosed kiosk it makes it easier for the vandal to have a go at them without being seen by other members of the public? In the light of that, would he not consider, even on an experimental basis, the provision of telephone kiosks such as exist in the United States of America, which are much more open and visible from all points of view by members of the public?

The new kiosk structure will give a much better view. It is not as enclosed as the old one was. We are certainly considering the idea mentioned by the Deputy in relation to a kiosk which is totally exposed but with an overhead cover.

22.