asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether directly or indirectly, formally or informally, he has conveyed to the E.S.B. the desirability of reducing the rate of rural electrification development; if he will state the percentage reduction recommended, the date upon which this advice was given, and whether the advice related to reduction of imports, reduction of capital expenditure or both; further, whether consultation took place with either the employers or unions concerned or with the E.S.B. at a date which would give six months in which to make arrangements for reduced or alternative production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification Development Rate.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.
I have not on any occasion or in any way conveyed to the E.S.B. any suggestion that it would be desirable to reduce the rate of rural electrification development. The considered view of the board, however, was that development should be gradually tapered off so as to minimise, as far as possible, the effects on employment including employment in industries catering for the supply of equipment. The board was informed on 19th September last of my acceptance of this view.
As I have no function with regard to the arrangements made by the board with its suppliers for the provision of materials and equipment I am not in a position to indicate in detail the nature of the consultations which took place between the board and the bodies referred to by the Deputy. From the information which I have, however, I am satisfied that both the board and their suppliers have been concerned to ensure that the reduction in the programme will be effected with the minimum of dislocation to all those who are directly or indirectly concerned. Following representations from a trade union representing workers employed by one of the board's principal suppliers discussions have taken place under the auspices of my Department between representatives of this supplier, of the trade union concerned, and of the board.
Is the Minister aware that at least 250 men, the main suppliers to the E.S.B. in my constituency, have lost their employment? What does he intend to do about it?
The Deputy's figure is inaccurate. Efforts are being made in order to minimise the dislocation caused by the fact that, whether we like it or not, rural electrification is approaching a stage at which tapering off is inevitable.
Mr. Lemass
When did the Minister decide that? The Minister only discovered that since July. The Minister was talking in July about increasing the rate of development.
If we had not inherited some of the legacies of overplanting which the Deputy left us, an entirely different situation might be present in the E.S.B. at the moment.
Mr. Lemass
The Minister was talking in July about increasing the rate of development.
If he had taken the advice—and strangely, because it is very rarely I recommend the Deputy to do it—of his Minister for Finance, Deputy MacEntee, so many difficulties in regard to the E.S.B. would not have arisen.
Mr. Lemass
Take my advice and read your previous statements on this question.
Is the Minister not trying to develop industry instead of shutting it down?
Is the Minister aware of the fact that the length of notice given to the decision of the E.S.B. to reduce the rate of rural electrification to the suppliers concerned makes it perfectly evident there was no carefully-made decision of tapering off on a long term basis? Exactly the same applies in the case of the union, in that members were never informed of this.
I am sure the Deputy will concede the matter of giving notice to suppliers—and there is more than one supplier concerned in this matter —is a matter for the Board, which enters into contracts with the suppliers. The Board have informed me that they have been in touch with their suppliers for a considerable time past and told them of their views as regards the tapering off of the rural electrification scheme. I do not know what precise notice was given in particular cases but I do know I was informed by the Board to that effect.
Is the Minister further aware of the fact that no one concerned in the connection of suppliers of materials for rural electrification believes anything but the fact that there is not sufficient money available?
That is a separate question.
The subsidy was withdrawn for the rural electrification scheme. That is the cause of the trouble.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the total number of areas to be developed by the E.S.B. for the purposes of rural electrification, indicating separately the number of areas (i) in which no canvass has been undertaken, (ii) in which a canvass has been unsuccessful, and (iii) which have been accepted for development; and (b) the number of dwellings unconnected in developed areas.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the official report.
The following is the statement:—
|
Total Number of Areas to be developed under the Rural Electrification Scheme |
Number of Areas in which no canvass has been undertaken |
Number of Areas which have been canvassed but have not yet been selected for development |
Number of Areas selected for development |
Number of dwellings unconnected in developed areas |
|
800(estimated) |
61 |
163 |
576(including 517 areas developed on 30th September, 1956) |
Approximately60,000 |
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the number of areas scheduled for rural electrification and the date by which they will be completed at the rate of 80 areas per annum; (b) the number of areas which at the rate of examination in 1955 will become new areas for development in addition to those indicated at (a) and the date by which such areas will be completed; and (c) the number of areas which in 1960 will remain for development after those referred to at (a) and (b) have been completed.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that the total number of areas to be developed under the rural electrification scheme is estimated at 800 and that at the rate of 80 areas per annum development will have been extended to all of them by about the middle of 1960. As the 800 areas cover the whole country with the exception of areas of mountain and bog or areas which are sparsely populated, the latter part of the Deputy's question does not arise.
In the course of a statement made by the Minister on 30th October, he made it perfectly clear that there were 100,000 dwellings in which the canvass had not been successful and, therefore, the suggestion of tapering off must relate to the presumption that a future canvass will not be successful. If the total number of dwellings to be connected at the end of the period of development has been considered then the question of tapering off should be re-examined.
The Deputy will appreciate that in every area which has been developed, is now being developed or which may be developed, there may be dwellings where the occupiers will not desire to take supply. That has been the characteristic of the scheme since the beginning.