asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the present position regarding the possibility of providing rural electrification in the Ballinspittle, Nohoval and Minane Bridge areas, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Ballinspittle area and the Tracton area, which includes Nohoval and Minane Bridge, have been considered by the board on a number of occasions for development under the rural electrification scheme but have not so far been selected as their returns have not compared favourably with those of other areas in the board's No. 2 Cork district still awaiting development. The board is unable to state when the development of the areas is likely to take place but suggest that an improvement in the percentage of acceptances would be likely to advance the prospects of selection.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, may I point out that since the last census was taken in this area my information now is that 90 per cent. of the people are anxious to be connected up with the E.S.B.? That improvement compares favourably, in my opinion, with any other area before the board at the moment.
As far as the Nohoval and Minane Bridge district is concerned, only 48 per cent. of the householders have accepted. That does not give much hope at the present moment.