asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, in regard to the rural electrification scheme (1) the total capital expenditure to date; (2) the subsidy paid to date as a percentage of the capital cost; (3) the total mileage of 10,000 volt line constructed to date, and in the year 1949; (4) the number of transformers erected to date, and in the year 1949, and (5) the average number of workers employed on the scheme in 1949.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification Statistics.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board, in connection with the rural electrification scheme, that:—
(1) The capital expenditure to the 31st December, 1949, was £1,963,673.
(2) The total advances to cover capital cost up to 31st December, 1949, were £2,350,000 and one-half of these advances which is not repayable by the board represents subsidy.
(3) The total mileage of 10,000 volt lines erected to the end of February, 1950, was 2,171, of which 1,005 miles were constructed during the year 1949.
(4) The number of transformers erected to the end of February, 1950, was approximately 4,800, of which number approximately 2,600 were erected during the year 1949.
(5) The average number of workers employed on the scheme in the year 1949 was 795.
Can the Minister say if there is any prospect of the work of the rural electrification scheme being extended? In view of the figures which he has given us it will take 50 years to complete the scheme.
The Deputy is quite well aware of the fact that its speed is limited only by the supply of materials and of skilled labour.
Is there any difficulty concerning the supply of materials at the present time?
Not a very great difficulty. It is a diminishing difficulty but there is difficulty in obtaining a sufficient supply of skilled labour. As the Deputy knows they cannot be obtained or trained overnight.