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.