asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is proposed to extend the rural electrification to the townlands of Gurteen, Rodeen, Gregalaun and Kilcowran, Borrisokane, County Tipperary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that these townlands are included in the Aglish area which has already been developed under the rural electrification scheme, but that extensions to the houses in these townlands were not economic due to the distance from the nearest point of supply. Iam also informed that certain householders in these townlands who have indicated that they wish to obtain supply will shortly be informed of the terms on which supply will be made available to them.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is the intention of the E.S.B. to extend the rural electrification scheme to the Templenoe-Sneem and the Tuosist-Lauragh areas when the installation of the electric current for Kilgarvan is completed.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that, when an application is received from the residents of these areas, the board will then be in a position to decide if an official canvass of the areas can be carried out and the areas will then be considered for development under the scheme in competition with other areas in the board's Tralee district.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the present position with regard to the proposals for the installation of a rural electrification scheme for the Milltown-Listry and for the Glenbeigh-Caragh-Glencar areas.
With regard to the Milltown-Listry area, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question on the 17th November.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that it is expected that the official canvass of the Glenbeigh-Caragh-Glencar area will be completed in time to permit of the area being considered next spring for selection by the board in competition with other areas awaiting development in the board's Tralee district. I am, however, unable to give any indication as to the prospects of the area being selected for development.
Could the Minister state at this stage which of the two areas is higher in the order of priority for development?
I could not.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will indicate when the E.S.B. propose to supplycurrent to Inchigeela and the surrounding area; and if, in view of the fact that a Gaeltacht area is involved, he will request the board to have the work carried out as soon as possible.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Inchigeela area has been considered by the board for development under the rural electrification scheme but has not so far been selected. The area will be considered again early in the new year, but I am not in a position to state when development is likely to take place.
The selection of areas for development under the rural electrification scheme and the determination of their order of priority are matters solely for the board and I have no function. I cannot, therefore, intervene in the manner suggested by the Deputy in the latter part of his question.
Does the Minister not think that, in view of the difficulty of retaining people in Gaeltacht areas of the character of the Inchigeela-Ballingeary area, which would be in the interest of the language itself, a certain preference if necessary should be given to those areas to ensure facilities there that would encourage them to stay at home?
I am quite satisfied that it would be very foolish for me to intervene in this matter and to urge the giving of priority to one area as against another.