asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she has applied to have further telephone lines installed in her Department.

It is proposed to instal a new private automatic branch exchange switchboard in the main headquarters building at Áras Mhic Dhiarmada which will be capable of meeting the increasing requirements of my Department. The Department of Posts and Telegraphs is dealing with the matter as one of urgency.

In addition a number of extra telephone lines are on order for my Department's offices at Áras Mhic Dhiarmada; Gandon House, Amiens Street; and Phibsboro Tower, Dublin. They will be installed as soon as the necessary cabling is provided by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

An additional switchboard has just been installed at my Department's office at Townsend Street, Dublin.