asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of householders who have availed themselves of the bottled gas scheme operated through his Department since its inception.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bottled Gas Scheme.
20.
Two bottled gas schemes are administered by my Department. The first scheme which was introduced in August, 1961 provided for grants for the installation of bottled gas for householders on non-Gaeltacht islands which have not got electricity. The number of householders who availed of grants under this scheme is 314.
The second scheme, which was introduced in October, 1962 and which is retrospective to April, 1962, provides for grants for householders who have not got electricity and who, because of their location, could not be connected with the electricity supply except on the basis of special service charges of more than 100 per cent. of the normal fixed charge applicable to their premises. The grants are payable periodically in bulk to the bottled gas companies in respect of installations carried out by their local dealers throughout the country. Until claims from their local dealers have been received and examined the companies will not be in a position to say how many householders have had installations carried out which would qualify for grants under the scheme. It is expected that the companies will be submitting claims before the end of the financial year in respect of installations carried out by them and it should then be possible to say how many householders have availed of the scheme during the first few months of its operation.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that he has received no claims whatever from the bottled gas companies?
No claims have been received so far.
Would the reason for that be that the number was so small it was not worth their while sending them in?
I could not say that.
The Minister will say it later when I put down my next Question.