asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when a telephone service will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8.

: It is expected that telephone service will be provided for the school named within about three months.

7.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange to have a telephone kiosk erected at Ballinclogher Cross, Lixnaw, County Kerry.

: Ballinclogher Cross is not included in this year's kiosk programme. It will be considered for inclusion in a future programme.

8.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will arrange for the provision of a telephone kiosk at the green at Balscadden, County Dublin.

: The provision of a kiosk at this location is not regarded as warranted at present and it is not proposed, therefore, to provide one there.

9.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when telephone repair work will be carried out for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin as it has been out of order for over two months.

: The subscribers premises were visited in connection with this fault but access could not be gained.

A notice was left to contact the repairs section but there was no response. An appointment has now been made to visit the premises and remedy the fault.

10.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when his Department will be in a position to provide new telephone connections for applicants in (i) Riverstown, (ii) Ravensdale and (iii) Hackballscross, Dundalk, County Louth.

: It is expected that telephone service will be provided for applicants in the areas named during the first half of 1984 following the opening of new exchanges there and at Dundalk.

11.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that a firm (details supplied) in County Dublin requires telephone service; and if he will make a statement on the matter with particular reference to telephones for new factories and the danger to employment prospects as a result of the lack of telephone service.

: Major ducting and cabling work is necessary to enable telephone service to be provided for the firm named and it is unlikely that the necessary engineering work can be completed for some months.

The need for telephone service at new factories is fully appreciated and priority attention is accorded to applications of this type. The possibility of providing service by some alternative means in advance of the ducting and cabling work being completed is therefore being explored and I will let the Deputy know the outcome.

12.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs when the new digital exchange in Dundalk, County Louth, will be completed.

: About the end of this year.

13.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of applicants for telephone connections in each engineering district.

:

: Is Drogheda the biggest one?

: Well, Dublin, of course; after that, Drogheda yes, with a figure of 5,200.

: I take it they are the present outstanding applicants?

: Can the Minister give the number of applicants who are refusing to accept service?

: I have just been asked in a statistical question about the engineering districts. I may not have exact details as regards Thurles here.

: It is about 20 per cent.

: I can certainly ascertain that information by way of another question or I could have it sent to the Deputy.

: Would the Minister review his policy with regard to the telephone system bearing in mind that the economy generally, due to the recession, has created a situation in which people are not interested in paying for telephones. In view of that, when work is being carried out in an area, would the Minister consider making service available to applicants as the necessary engineering works are carried out?

: I am reluctant to go into the whole policy area on a statistical question. Very considerable progress is being made, thanks to the efforts put into it by our predecessors and successive Governments. There will be vast improvements in many areas in the coming year. The programme, as outlined, is still, roughly speaking, on target.

: Can the Minister give the numbers on the waiting list in the Dundalk and Drogheda areas?

: I am looking at the engineering districts as specified, and the number shown for Drogheda is 5,200. I assume that that engineering district covers the Dundalk area — these are broad engineering districts.

: There are so many applicants there, can the Minister say when he foresees the waiting list being cleared?

: It is expected that the waiting lists will be virtually eliminated by the end of the year in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Portlaoise engineering districts. As regards the one in which Deputy Kirk is interested — in Galway, Sligo and Drogheda districts, which I assume, subject to correction — perhaps Deputy Wilson would know whether it covers Dundalk; I imagine it does——

: It does.

: The majority of the applications on hand will be dealt with before the end of this year. The balance will be attended to progressively during 1984. Therefore, the position is very optimistic all over.