asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that steps have been taken by the Electricity Supply Board with a view to carrying out a rural electrification scheme for the Iveragh Peninsula; and, if so, if he will state what progress, if any, has been made in putting such a scheme into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that in view of the distance of the Iveragh Peninsula from the main transmission lines the solution of the problem of supply in this area will be provided by the hydro development of the Cummeragh River. The board informed me that they have decided to proceed with the hydro-electric development of the Cummeragh River but I am not in a position at this stage to say when development work is likely to commence. There is also the possibility that there may be established in this area small generating stations fired by hand-won turf and/or turf produced by semi-automatic machines. In this regard I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to Deputy Flynn on the 13th February, 1952, to which at present I have nothing further to add.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a canvass has been carried out in the Milltown, Listry, Beaufort, Firies, Farranfore, Ballyhar and Killeentierna districts with a view to the installation of an electricity supply under the rural electrification scheme; and, if so, if he will state what procedure is being, or will be, adopted to carry out such a scheme in those areas.
The Electricity Supply Board inform me that the Milltown rural area which embraces Listry, Beaufort rural area and Killeentierna rural area, including Farranfore, have been considered for selection by the board on a number of occasions for development under the rural electrification scheme. These areas have, so far, been unsuccessful, but they will be considered again for development towards the end of April, 1952. The districts of Firies and Ballyhar are not at present included in any rural area under investigation.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any plans have been discussed or arranged by the Electricity Supply Board by which a rural electrification scheme may be extended to the thickly populated districts extending from Kenmare to Castletownbere, including such areas as Dawros, Ardea, Tuosist and Lauragh on the Kerry side of the Cork-Kerry border.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether it is the intention of the Electricity Supply Board to put into operation a rural electrification scheme for the Kilgarvan-Kenmare district; and, if so, what the present position is with regard to such a long-awaited scheme.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together. I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the Kilgarvan area has been considered for development under the rural electrification scheme but has so far been unsuccessful and that no proposals exist at present for the development of an area from Kenmare to Castletownbere which would include the districts of Dawros, Ardea, Tuosist and Lauragh. The extension of supply to the Kilgarvan area and the consideration of supply to the areas between Kenmare and Castletownbere depend on the acquisition by the board of the existing electricity undertaking at Kenmare. The negotiations for the acquisition of the undertaking have not yet been concluded.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will request the Electricity Supply Board to include the townland of Maas, Glenties, in the rural electrification scheme at the earliest possible date.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the groups of houses at Maas Upper and Maas Lower are included in the Ardara rural area which has been selected for development by the board and that the erection of the network in the area is expected to commence in the early summer of this year.