asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will request the Electricity Supply Board to complete the extension of current to all applicants in South West Cork constituency.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification in South West Cork.
8.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that all rural areas in South-West Cork have been developed under the rural electrification scheme. Practically all the householders in these areas have already had the opportunity of obtaining connection to the electricity supply, but some did not accept supply because of special service charges or other reasons personal to the householders.
As part of the revised rural scheme, the Board, in order to ensure orderly development and to keep costs to a minimum, is recanvassing the whole country with the object of giving those houses still unconnected the best terms for supply in accordance with the revised subsidy arrangements provided for in the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1962.
The Board is unable, at this stage, to state an order of priority for the recanvass of individual areas, but special canvassers have been attached to each District Office in order to expendite recanvass. Interested persons should keep in touch with the appropriate district office which, in the case of South-West Cork, is at 113 Patrick Street, Cork.
Is the Minister aware that persons who have been in touch with the local offices in West Cork have been told that it will be a considerable time before their applications are dealt with? In view of that, could the Minister devise a system whereby the position could be improved? It is unfair to these applicants that they should be told they will have to wait a considerable time. I cannot define the term "considerable time" but I assume it covers a period of a few years.
I am sure that is a question of degree because I suppose applicants in other parts of the country are entitled to the same priority as the Deputy's constituents.
I agree, but having regard to the fact that most of the country has been covered there is no justification for asking these applicants to wait a considerable time before applications are dealt with. I do not suggest that South-West Cork applicants should get preferential treatment over and above applicants from other parts of the country. Would the Minister ask the Minister for Transport and Power to have another look at this?
The Deputy was not nearly so vociferous when the subsidy was cut in 1955.
The Minister knows it made no difference to the applications—to the Board; yes; but not to the people connected.
With your permission, Sir, I propose to raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.
I shall not be here for it, so the Deputy need not take it out on me.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce knows the truth of that and should not be telling us something that is not true.
I know that for seven years the ESB lost hand over fist by reason of the withdrawal of the subsidy.
It did not affect the applicant and the Minister for Local Government knows it also.