asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that 74 per cent. of the people in the rural area of Louisburgh, County Mayo, have signed for rural electrification; and if he will indicate when the E.S.B. will extend the scheme to these people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that as the town of Louisburgh has been supplied with electricity for a number of years it is assumed that the Deputy's question refers to the area of Askillaun, including the coastal region west of Louisburgh, which was not selected when last considered by the board for development under the rural electrification scheme.
The area, together with other areas awaiting development in the board's Galway district, will again be considered within the next two months.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the people of Oury Taugheen, Claremorris, County Mayo, signed for rural electrification over four years ago but that so far it has not been provided; and, if so, if he will request the E.S.B. to expedite the extension of the scheme to this area.
I am informed that, when the Taugheen area near Claremorris was connected to the electricity supply some years ago, certain householders south of Taugheen were excluded as the extensions necessary would have been uneconomic. On the assumption that this is the district to which the Deputy's question refers, the position is that any of the householders so excluded who now wish to obtain electric current will, on application to the board's district engineer in Galway, be advised of the terms on which supply can be made available to them.
The board has further informed me that the district to the east of Taugheen will be included in the projected Mayfield area which it is proposed to investigate for the purpose of the rural electrification scheme.
Is the Minister aware that a similar situation exists in Loughmore area, Ballina, that a number of people who were most anxious to get electric light have as a result of the fact that certain neighbours had refused to accept current been denied it?
I understand that the board will supply in any area but if it is not within the confines of an approved scheme there may be some extra charge for supply outside the scheme.
Could the Minister say if the area north of the one described in Deputy Moran's question will be included in another area which is under consideration at the moment?
That is the Mayfield area?
No, another area, Ballyglass area.
It will certainly be included in some area.