asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, due to unpreparedness for the large number of applications for connections which they have received, it has become necessary for the ESB in the Dublin west group rural area, which covers a wide area of South Meath and North Kildare, to adopt a general policy of not quoting terms to applicants until 12 months after applications have been received: and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
11.
I am informed by the ESB that it became necessary in recent months to advise applicants for the electricity supply in some of the rural areas in the Dublin north west district that their applications could not be dealt with for a year. This delay in giving supply under the rural electrification scheme is due to the high rate of house building in the rural areas around Dublin.
Advertisements were recently placed in the press notifying prospective applicants of the need to apply before 28th February, 1972, if they wished to avail of the present subsidised rural electrification terms. When all applications have been received the work programme will be reviewed and completed as quickly as the availability of capital and the necessary skilled construction staff will allow.
This is in line with the arrangements for completion of rural electrification by 1975 which I explained to the House in my Second Reading speech on the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill, 1971, just before the last summer recess.
Is it not a fact that the waiting period which people are being asked to endure in this area is exceptionally long and that the increased house building to which the Minister referred could have been foreseen long ago? Money could have been provided to ensure that people would not have to wait for at least 12 months after making application before having terms quoted.
I agree with the Deputy. All the Deputies in the area concerned representing the various parties have made their views known to me. I have been in touch with the board about this matter. They are expediting dealing with this matter. I agree that there was a problem.
Can the Minister state if the suggested Capital Budget for 1972-73 can be put into operation immediately? Can some of this money be used now? Can the programme be put into operation now in January, 1972, or in February, 1972, for the purpose of expediting ESB connection for these people? Will we be told that the plans are not ready?
Money is being provided for the purpose of bringing forward the ESB capital expenditure plan.
Is the Minister saying that this can be done or is going to be done?
It is part of it.
We will be talking to the Minister in a couple of months about this matter.
Would the Minister state specifically whether these delays are in accordance with normal procedure or whether they occurred because there was no money or staff available?
This happened because of the great development of the Irish economy in recent years. The ESB have the highest growth rate in regard to electricity consumption in Western Europe. There has been a 12 per cent annual rate of increase. Such an increase created problems, particularly in Dublin and in the greater Dublin area.
Why then have the ESB let go so many electricians in the North County Dublin area? Why have the ESB refused to receive contributions from applicants, some of whom have presented their applications to the Minister through me? These contributions from North West County Dublin would pay for the poles, the wiring and the electrical work in all stages. People have to go to live in houses without electricity. Some are using gas and will continue to do so because of the inefficiency of the present system. Why does the Minister not give the board permission to take the contributions and to put in electricity now?
The Deputy should realise that this was one of the main purposes of the Government's further capital injection into the economy last week. The ESB are being given £3.5 million extra to assist their capital programme.
That is money. It is a question of work.
The provision of money leads to the provision of work. The Deputy can be assured that following the action of the Government further men will be employed by the ESB.
Could the Minister tell us how much money will be used for the benefit of the Dublin north west rural area in order to speed up electricity connections?
I am not going to specify that, but £3.5 million extra will be made available to the ESB for their capital requirements. This will have an effect on employment.
When will the Minister be able to state how much of the money will actually go to the rural area around Dublin north west?
If the Deputy puts down a question next week I will give him a reply.