asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that with a view to the installation of a rural electrification scheme a survey was made by the Electricity Supply Board of the Milltown, Fenit and Ardfert areas in County Kerry; and, if so, whether he will state (1) what percentage of householders in each of those three areas agreed to avail of the electricity supply, and (2) whether priority for installation has been given to the district with the best response; and, further, if in order that installation may not be confined to one particular portion of Kerry, he will urge the Electricity Supply Board to deal immediately with the Milltown district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
Mr. Flynn
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the Milltown Parish Council, Milltown, County Kerry, are making a special effort to secure the necessary number of applicants for a rural electrification scheme for their district; and, if so, whether he will make representations to the Electricity Supply Board to have immediate consideration given to this project.
I propose, Sir, with your permission, to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
Priority of development of rural areas within counties is governed by the ratio of estimated total fixed charge revenue in an area to the estimated total capital cost of the necessary net work, and I am not prepared to interfere with the discretion of the Electricity Supply Board in this matter.
Details of the areas canvassed and the percentages of householders accepting can be obtained on enquiry from the Electricity Supply Board, who are always willing to give such information to interested persons. The following are the figures in respect of the four areas in County Kerry in which the canvass has been completed:—
|
Area |
Percentage of householder & agreeng to accept supply |
Total estimated fixed charge revenue as a percentage of estimated capital cost of area networks |
|
Ardfert |
72.7 |
9.40 |
|
Fenit |
63.0 |
10.00 |
|
Ballymacellgott |
54.5 |
9.10 |
|
Milltown |
59.8 |
7.72 |
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the Electricity Supply Board have departed from the plan to complete the full scheme for rural electrification in ten years which was arrived at and announced by the previous Government; and, further, whether he will state to what extent plans prepared for the construction of certain sections of the new works within the next three years have been altered or departed from.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to a similar question in Dáil Éireann on the 13th May last.
The Electricity Supply Board is proceeding with this work as rapidly as possible, but it will be appreciated that the rate of progress may at any time be affected by the non-availability of essential materials.
Will the Minister say if an area in each county is being developed at present under the rural electrification scheme?
If the Deputy is asking whether there has been interference by me or by the present Government with the programme——
I am not. I am asking if there has been any alteration so far as the Minister knows in the matter.
So far as I know, there has been no alteration.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when it is proposed to extend the benefits of the rural electrification scheme to West Donegal and what areas have been selected for that purpose.
One area (Rossnowlagh) has been selected for development under the rural electrification scheme in Donegal. The board's transmission system does not extend far into Donegal and it is not possible to make any considerable extension at the moment owing to shortage of materials. I am informed by the board that the whole question of the electrical development of Donegal is at present receiving their consideration.