asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the number of subscribers connected to the national network under the rural electrification scheme in each year since its inception; and (b) the amount of the State contribution in each year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification Subscribers.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of An Cheann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
|
Year ended 31st March |
Number of Rural Subscribers connected |
Amount repaid to the Central Fund out of voted moneys in respect of advances made to the E.S.B. for rural electrification purposes |
||
|
£ |
||||
|
1948 |
2,203 |
— |
||
|
1949 |
9,262 |
225,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
1950 |
13,688 |
325,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
1951 |
15,803 |
25,374 |
16 |
0 |
|
1952 |
18,067 |
54,809 |
11 |
0 |
|
1953 |
18,818 |
504,809 |
11 |
0 |
|
1954 |
23,477 |
904,810 |
0 |
0 |
|
1955 |
29,812 |
84,612 |
17 |
5 |
|
1956 |
34,257 |
— |
NOTE:
In the years 1950/51 and 1951/52 the moiety of advances repayable to the Central Fund from voted moneys was funded and repayment was arranged by way of half-yearly annuities over 50 years. The capital and interest content of these annuities is shown for those years and is included in the sums paid in 1952/53 and 1953/54.
In 1954 it was decided that the sum of £2,110,212 17s. 5d. then outstanding should be repaid from voted moneys by way of simple instalments over 25 years. The first instalment of £84,612 17s. 5d. was repaid on 1st January, 1955.
The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1955 provided for the abolition of State subsidy and for the assumption by the Electricity Supply Board of liability for the outstanding balance of £4,825,600 then due to the Central Fund from voted moneys.