asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the senior citizens complex in Glasanaon Road, Dublin, which is known as Glasanaon Court, is likely to be provided with a telephone link.

In about six months or so.

Could the Minister say when the application was made?

The application was made on 6 March 1978.

Does the Minister of State consider that a reasonable delay in the circumstance that it is a senior citizens' complex? Is he aware that it is usual to have a delay of this kind in providing a service for senior citizens' complexes, something I find very difficult to understand? Does the Minister not accept that senior citizens have a particular need for communication, both for the likely occurrence of illness and its consequences and for the need for security, which is a major problem, especially in built-up urban areas. Would the Minister undertake to perhaps examine whether some system of priority could be initiated to ensure that there will be at least one outside link in schemes of this nature?

I share the Deputy's concern because senior citizens' complexes should have those facilities but we are restricted by the volume of engineering work at present on hands. In many cases it is not technically possible to expedite the programme, even in regard to such a worthy case. I shall ask my senior officials if the work can be completed more quickly.

During my recent canvassing in that area I talked to some officials of the Minister's Department who were putting down cable and I had hoped that the reply might have been that telephones had been installed. Would the Minister agree to make inquiries in the light of the fact that cable has been laid in the area very recently?

The Deputy canvassed very successfully in that area but I am sure she was making very strong representations to the then Minister, Deputy Cooney, and her good friend and colleague, Deputy Harte. I will ensure that this matter is updated as quickly as possible.

22.