asked the Minister for Transport and Power when he expects that ESB current will be supplied to the villages in Connemara not already connected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Connemara Electricity Supply.
5.
I am informed by the ESB that the present rural postdevelopment scheme should be completed within the next three years and that all applicants in West Galway and elsewhere who have accepted terms quoted will have received supply by that date.
Is the Minister aware that, even in areas where the Board have connection within a few yards of houses, they now say they cannot give connection for quite a considerable time because of lack of finance? How does the Minister hope to give people in Connemara connection in the near future when he cannot give connection to those who are relatively close to existing lines?
I have already explained that to the Deputy on previous occasions. The only way it is possible to do it, with a reasonable degree of economic saving, is to connect people in an area so that the work can be done all at once in a specific area. The work has been done on a regular basis throughout the country.
The ESB gave instructions, up to two years ago, that if certain houses were wired, they would give them immediate connection. Is the Minister not aware that those houses have not got connection and that the ESB now say they have no money with which to connect them? Is it not a lot of cod, therefore, for the Minister to talk about giving the people in Connemara a connection inside the next two years?
Connections are regularly being made throughout the country. The work is going on steadily.
They cannot give the connections they promised because they have not the money.