asked the Minister for Transport and Power when it is proposed to extend electricity supply to all districts in the Berehaven peninsula, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
9.
I understand from the ESB that their present plans provide for the completion of rural electrification in the Berehaven peninsula by the end of this year.
10.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the very slow progress made in the extension of rural electrification; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The rural electrification programme was reviewed in 1967 and a programme was drawn up to complete the post-development scheme by 31st March, 1973. The limit on capital expenditure on rural electrification was extended to £50 million under the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1968. At the same time substantial reductions in the higher special service charges were introduced as from 1st June, 1968.
For various reasons the demands for new connections in rural areas has proved to be higher than anticipated. This is due mainly to the substantial reduction in special service charges. Increasing prosperity and a growing demand for TV reception have also increased the numbers seeking supply. In addition, the progress of the post-development programme has been retarded by the need to devote an ever-growing proportion of the capital available for rural electrification to the strengthening of the distribution network to cater for the rapid growth in consumption. The rate of growth in consumption in rural areas has been about 13 per cent per annum for some years past compared with about 9 per cent in urban areas. Furthermore, priority must be given to certain new connections such as rural factories, hotels, registered guest houses, new houses being built by existing consumers and new installations for the mechanisation of farms.
Proposals by the ESB which envisage completion by 31st March, 1975 are at present under examination by my Department and by the Department of Finance.
Arising from the Minister's reply, which as far as I am concerned is old hat and something that is given repeatedly here in answer to similar questions, could I ask the Minister if he has made any progress in relation to the promises he made to a deputation from the Cork County Council, including Deputies of this House, which he received about 12 months ago in connection with this problem and if any progress has been made in relation to the undertaking he gave on that occasion?
The undertaking I gave on that occasion, to the deputation, of which the Deputy was a member, has been honoured fully and officers of the ESB have visited the area to discuss the problem with the people concerned. This is a matter which requires further finance if we are to complete the programme by March, 1975. It will be new information for the Deputy to learn that the Minister for Finance and I, together with our officials, are examining this matter closely at the moment. In due course, there will be legislation before the House in this regard and the Deputy will then have an opportunity of debating the issue fully.
Can I take it from the Minister that there will be an improvement in the rate of the extension of rural electrification? The Minister will agree that it was the lack of electricity in rural areas which caused people to leave rural Ireland in the past. Should we have a black-out in this city, it would be headline news in the papers.
We cannot debate the subject at Question Time.
I would remind the Deputy that the growth rate of 13 per cent per annum is the highest in Europe.
Is the Minister in a position to tell the House when the special service charge will be abolished?
That is a separate matter. The Deputy can get the information on another occasion.
It is a separate question.
The Minister mentioned this in his reply and I am asking him, arising from that reply, if he is in a position——
The special charge was reduced substantially in 1968. As a result, the number of electricity consumers has risen dramatically and is continuing to rise.
These charges are prohibitive and the result is that many people are not in a position to accept rural electrification. I might add that this scheme was introduced by a Government other than that of which the Minister is a member. The Minister is confusing rural electrification with urban electrification.
I am not. We hope to have the job completed by 1975. There will be legislation before the House——
According to the Minister there is always legislation before the House.
That is very true, indeed.
There are people who are still using candles.
11.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the serious loss to electricity consumers with electric motors et cetera arising out of the low voltage in rural areas; and that the ESB have not dealt with the problem; and what steps he proposes to take to rectify the matter.
I am informed by the ESB that the growth rate for electricity consumption in rural areas in this country is among the highest in Europe. For this reason a considerable proportion of the capital expenditure on rural electrification has been and will continue to be devoted to the reinforcement of existing networks. The purpose of this reinforcement is to ensure that rural consumers receive satisfactory supply voltage. Expenditure on rural networks reinforcement is at present about £1 million per annum.
Individual cases of low voltage which are brought to the attention of the board are dealt with as speedily as possible consistent with the other demands on capital available for rural electrification.
Would the Minister be surprised to hear that there are some people who have been waiting for the past five years? These people have purchased very expensive machinery but they have not sufficient power to operate it.
If the Deputy would be kind enough to give me particulars of these people, I would take the matter up.
I shall certainly do that.
Thank you very much.
This problem is not necessarily confined to rural areas.
The question relates to rural areas.