asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applications received in his Department for new telephones in the Carrigaline area of County Cork; if he is aware of the long delay in installing telephones; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to alleviate the problem.

There are about 320 waiting applicants in the Carrigaline area at present. The delay in providing service is due mainly to a shortage of exchange equipment and it is expected that this will be remedied within the next four months or so. Service will be provided quickly then for most of the waiting applicants.

Is it proposed to introduce a subscriber carrier system to speed up the matter? That would avoid the delay involved in laying extensive trunk cables.

The supply of subscriber carrier systems cannot effect a solution. The main problem is that there is a shortage of exchange terminations. There is also a shortage of cables. It is expected that a 1,000-line mobile exchange will be provided in February 1981 and that additional trunks will be provided to Cork. That will make it possible to provide a service to about 300 of the waiting applications by April or May. The balance will require local cabling but it is expected that they will be cleared progressively within the year.

Did the Minister say that 300 of the 320 outstanding applicants will be cleared within six months?

The first 300 of waiting applicants will be cleared by April or May.

That is welcome news.