asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) when the E.S.B. propose to extend rural electrification to the districts of Rathnure, Killanne, Kiltealy and Caime, County Wexford, and (b) the number of householders who are willing to take supply, and if he will express this figure as a percentage of the total number of householders in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Killanne area, which includes Rathnure, Kiltealy and Caime, has been considered for development by the board on a number of occasions but has not been selected as the returns for the area have not compared favourably with those for other areas still awaiting development in the Waterford 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 in the Waterford district. I am also informed by the board that 330 householders in the area have agreed to take supply and that this figure represents 55.5 per cent. of the total number of householders in the area.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when the E.S.B. will be in a position to give a supply of current to the Knock-Glenfinn area, County Donegal.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the Glenfinn 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 Sligo 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 then compare with those for other areas awaiting development in the Sligo district.
Is the Minister aware that this is, in the main, a Gaeltacht area and the percentage of acceptances as a result of the E.S.B. canvass was over 85 per cent? That would seem in my opinion to compare favourably with any other area. Would the Minister undertake to use his good offices to put this area in a place of priority?
Is the Deputy suggesting that the percentage of acceptances here was 80 per cent?
85 per cent. from the local canvass which is bound to correspond with the E.S.B. percentage of acceptances.
The correct number in this case was 54.4 per cent.
I do not—and I am sure other Deputies will agree with me—accept that figure.
It is the figure of acceptances that the E.S.B. have got and they are the body which comes to the decision.
What date was that?
The latest date for which information was available.
When was the canvass made?
The information was got from the board since the question was put down.