asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he will have steps taken to have the electricity supply to the Ballyfermot area of Dublin improved in view of the widespread complaints concerning poor television reception and lack of proper power for electrical appliances; and how long he envisages that this work will take.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballyfermot (Dublin) Electricity Supply.
33.
I am informed by the ESB that they are not aware of widespread complaints about poor television reception in the Ballyfermot area. There have been some complaints about lack of proper power for electrical appliances. This is caused mainly by the rapid growth in the use of domestic appliances generally and the board are constantly improving the electricity mains to ensure that there is adequate voltage at consumers' premises. This applies throughout the country generally and this year the board will spend £5.1 million on this work.
In the Ballyfermot area, the expenditure on mains improvements over the last four years was £60,000 and in the current year a further £22,000 will be spent on this work. It is expected that expenditure on mains improvement will continue at this rate for a number of years.
Could the Minister say if any further work is needed in the Ballyfermot area because I have had complaints of low voltage over a number of years; when people put a kettle on the television goes off? I am just wondering if the recent work done there will overcome these drawbacks.
This is part of the rising standard of living and the development of more electrical appliances and, of course, television. It is a question of keeping pace, not just improving.
Then would the Minister's Department keep pace?
I will communicate with the ESB. But this is really a very gratifying reflection of the standard of living and the general improvement in conditions.
Then it is a bad thing to have an improvement.
On the contrary, it is a great thing.