asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, with a view to easing the unemployment situation in Portlaw and its vicinity, he will request the E.S.B. to undertake at the earliest opportunity the development for rural electrification of the areas of Clonea-Rathgormack, Dunhill, Kill and Newtown, which are contiguous to Portlaw.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Rathgormack area, which includes Clonea, and the Dunhill area, which includes Kill and Newtown, have been considered for selection by the board on a number of occasions, but have not so far been selected as the returns for the areas have not compared favourably with those for other areas still awaiting development in the Waterford district. I am also informed that in both areas only a moderate proportion of the householders has agreed to take supply and that an increase in the number of householders willing to accept supply would be necessary before the areas could be selected for development. The selection of areas is, of course, a matter solely for the E.S.B.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when rural electrification will be extended to the Gorey rural area, County Wexford.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that a canvass of the householders in the Gorey district will be undertaken shortly. When the returns are available the district will be considered for selection by the board and the decision of the board will depend on how the returns compare with those for other areas still awaiting development in the Waterford district.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when rural electrification will be extended to Cleariestown, County Wexford.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the neighbourhood of Cleariestown, County Wexford, is included in the Kilmore area which has been developed under the rural electrification scheme but that the extension of supply at standard rates of charge to householders in the vicinity of Cleariestown was not found economic when the original construction work was in progress. Where provision of supply at standard rates is uneconomic, householders are offered supply at special service charges, and I am informed by the board that, when certain postdevelopment work is being carried out in the area, the position of the householders concerned will be considered and they will be given an opportunity of taking supply on the basis of special terms, if necessary.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will ascertain from the E.S.B. the present position in regard to the demand for the extension of rural electrification to the Firies area, County Kerry.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Firies area has been considered for selection by the board on two occasions but has not so far been selected as the returns for the area have not compared favourably with those for other areas still awaiting development in the board's Tralee district. The area will be reconsidered by the board in due course and the decision of the board will depend on how the returns for the area compare with those for other areas awaiting development at the time.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the E.S.B. propose to extend rural electrification to the Ballycahill area, Thurles, County Tipperary, and, if so, when.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Ballycahill area has been considered for selection by the board on a number of occasions but has not so far been selected as the returns for the area have not compared favourably with those for other areas still awaiting development in the Portlaoise district. The area will be reconsidered by the board in due course and the decision of the board will depend on how the returns for the area compare with those for other areas awaiting development at the time.