asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will outline the procedure which should be followed by the many telephone applicants who seek a refund of their connection fee because no service was available for more than two months after payment.

25.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the basis on which his Department requests payment of the fee for telephone installation several months in advance of a connection being made; and if he will outline his programme for group telephone installations in South Dublin.

I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 17 and 25 together.

Service is offered to applicants when the main work necessary to enable service to be given has been carried out. Payment of the connection fee and advance rental is requested at that stage in accordance with the provisions of the Telephone Regulations, 1980, so that further expenditure which would be necessary if the offer of service was declined will not be incurred. It is necessary in the interests of efficient organisation of the work to have a reasonable volume of accepted offers of service on hands at all times.

When making the advance payment, customers are informed that provision of service may take up to three months, but in the vast majority of cases service is provided well within this period. A refund of the payment made is usually offered where service is delayed beyond that. Applicants in the 01 area may apply orally, or in writing, for a refund of their advance payments to the Manager, Dublin Telecommunications Office, Cumberland House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2. Those outside the 01 area should apply to the appropriate commercial office, particulars of which are contained in the preface to the telephone directory, Part Two.

The necessary cabling, installation of exchanges and other work to enable existing applications in South Dublin to be met will be carried out progressively over the next two years. It is expected that the majority of these applications will be met within the next year and the remainder over the following year or so.

Does that mean that when they get this refund they have to go to the bottom of the list of applications, or have to make application again? Does the Minister not feel that it is very unreasonable, having made this payment, to have to wait four months for service to be connected up, having the instrument already installed in their houses.

This detailed reply to the question will be circulated to the Deputy. Is the specific point she is making in relation to being put back to the bottom of the line again — is that her main point?

Yes. Would their applications stand?

The money is to be collected again before service is supplied and subscribers are assured that a refund will not add to the delay. I presume that it should not hinder it. I would, however, advise people in that situation not to ask for a refund. It would be better not to do so.

I am asking this question on behalf of families who do not have that much money at their disposal and who do not wish to be without their money when they are without the service they have paid for.

I will clarify the situation for the Deputy and give a written reply both to Deputy Andrews and Deputy Fennell.

Could the Minister answer whether it is unreasonable or unusual for a four-month delay to occur in Dublin South when the money is paid, the instrument is installed, and there is still no connection of service?

In the vast majority of cases, service is provided well within three months. The situation of which the Deputy speaks would be exceptional. Again, I will ask my officials to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and contact her further about it.

(Dún Laoghaire): Is the Minister aware that there are a number of industrial estates in the southern part of County Dublin which have made their payment but have not, as yet, received a telephone service, as a result of which a number of jobs are in jeopardy? Could the Minister indicate when service will be supplied to these industrial estates?

I certainly will look into the position for the Deputy.

Would the Minister consider putting before the House the programme for telephone installations in Dublin South, in conjunction with the examination he is undertaking of the complaints made by Deputies Fennell and Barrett?

Because of the concern expressed by both Deputies from that constituency, I have discussed the matter with my senior officials——

The same concern has been expressed by Deputies from other constituencies. One would have to be an Independent to get that kind of cooperation.

Deputies Andrews and Fennell have put down questions here today in this regard. I am replying to their questions.

It is not confined to that constituency.

I am asking my officials to supply them with the necessary information to enable them to inform their constituents of the exact position. I will come back with the information as quickly as possible.

One final, short little question, please.

I do not know what that question will be like.