asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the residents of Glanturkeen, Cashel, County Galway, were informed by the E.S.B. in February last that service would be given them provided a certain householder agreed to contract for supply; that this householder subsequently so agreed; that the board has since withdrawn its offer, and intimated that a special charge will be payable; and, if so, if he will ascertain from the board why it withdrew its written offer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that, following the receipt of local representations, the board have decided that the original offer should be allowed to stand and supply will be extended to the residents concerned at the charges originally quoted to them.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the villages of Cushatrower and Ervallough are to be connected with the electricity supply now being provided in the Roundstone area; and, if not, why not?
I am informed by the E.S.B. that it is not at present proposed to extend supply to the villages of Cushatrower and Ervallough in the Roundstone area as a sufficient number of applications has not been received from the residents. I am also informed that it is intended to re-examine the position before construction work is completed in the area and that supply will be extended if the demand then warrants that course.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say whether or not those who agreed to take the supply have been asked to pay a special charge—that is, to pay extra for the installation of the service?
A sufficient number of applications has not been received from the area to justify bringing the supply there at all.
I understand that, but have those who agreed to take it been asked to pay an extra charge to get the supply to their own homes?
Until the board receives a certain number of applications they will not supply any residents in the area.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will ascertain from the E.S.B. the present position regarding the development of the rural electrification of the Kilbeacanty, Shanaglish, Tubber area, County Galway, and when work is likely to commence on this scheme.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Kilbeacanty area, County Galway, which includes Shanaglish and Tubber districts, has recently been selected by the board for development under the rural electrification scheme and that work will shortly commence on the erection of networks in the area.
Seán Mac Eochagáin
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 following townlands: Cleggan, Renvyle, Letterfrack, Leenane, Cornamona and Ballyconneely.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the areas of Cleggan, Cornamona and Letterfrack, which includes Renvyle, have been considered for selection by the board but have not so far been selected as then-returns have not compared favourably with those for other areas still awaiting development in the Galway district. The areas will be reconsidered by the board at a later date and the decision of the board will depend on how their returns compare with those for other areas awaiting development at the time.
I am also informed that the Ballyconneely area has been investigated but that the extension of supply to the residents involves consideration of special service charges which will be quoted to interested residents on application to the board. The Leenane area has not yet been investigated as, owing to the sparse population, it appears unlikely that its returns would compare favourably with those for other areas still awaiting development in the Galway district and in any case supply could not be conveniently extended to it until the Letterfrack area has been developed.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when the electrification of the Ardgroom area, Castletownbere, County Cork, will be completed.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that supply has already been extended to the village of Ardgroom and that the results of a preliminary canvass carried out by a local committee in the undeveloped region between Kenmare and Ardgroom on the northern side of the peninsula have been received by the district engineer in Tralee. I am also informed that an official canvass of the area will be carried out in due course and when the results are available, the area will be considered for selection by the board. The decision of the board will depend on how the returns for the area compare with those for other areas still awaiting development in the Tralee district.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give particulars of the E.S.B.'s priority list for rural electrification in North Kerry.
I presume the Deputy does not wish to get particulars of areas to which priority has already been given and which have already been developed.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Ballylongford area has been selected for development and that the Listowel area has been considered by the board but has not so far been selected for development. I am also informed that an official canvass of the Rathea area is being carried out and that arrangements have been made for an official canvass of the Brosna area.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when the E.S.B. propose to extend rural electrification to Killoscully and Newport districts, North Tipperary.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Birdhill area, which includes Killoscully and Newport, 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 same district. The area will shortly be reconsidered by the board 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.