asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that nine householders residing at Barrack Street, Tallow, County Waterford, have been repeatedly refused connection to their homes by the Electricity Supply Board although the distance to the nearest pole is only 12 yards; and, if so, if he will instruct the Electricity Supply Board to see that these residents obtain electric light in their homes, as is the case with the other residents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Householders' Electricity Supply.
I have made inquiries from the Electricity Supply Board and have been informed that the provision of supply for the nine houses at Barrack Street, Tallow, County Waterford, would involve the erection of 260 yards of low tension line from the nearest point of supply and that the board would, under its rules, require a contribution from each tenant towards the cost of making the supply available. I understand that the tenants are not prepared to pay the amounts asked for by the board, and as none of the houses is the property of the county council, the council is unable to make any contribution. All such extensions are made in accordance with rules framed by the board which, I am informed, are designed to ensure that the revenue will be sufficient to meet, in addition to the cost of electricity, the recurrent capital and maintenance charges. The board states that these rules are standard and of universal application throughout the board's areas of supply, except in areas subsidised under the rural electrification scheme.
I take it that it would not be correct to say that the reason that these houses have not been connected is to obviate the necessity for having a resident collector? That is what is believed locally.
No such information appears in the information given to me by the board.