asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will grant assistance for the installation of electricity on Inishboffin, Inishturk and Inishturbot, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Rural Electrification.
2.
As the House is aware the funds provided under the Electricity Supply Acts for rural electrification are used, with other ESB resources, to provide consumers in rural areas with electricity supply at less than economic cost. Even with subsidy it is necessary. where costs of providing supply are abnormal, to impose a special service charge so as to enable the board to continue to get a minimum return on expenditure. I am informed by the board that to provide electricity supply for the householders on the islands of Inishboffin, Inishturk and Inishturbot would cost so much that the special services charge would be completely prohibitive and it is not therefore a practicable proposition.
The Deputy will recall the recent announcement by the Minister for Lands that substantial grants and assistance will be made available by the Land Commission to enable the inhabitants of Inishturk and Inishturbot to transfer to the mainland. As the vast majority of the islanders are anxious to move to the mainland the installation of electricity on these islands should not arise.
I accept it would not now apply in the case of Inishturk and Inishturbot because the Government have announced they intend to carry out the decision of the previous Government to move the people to the mainland. However, in the case of Inishboffin, I should like to ask the Minister if it would not be possible for him and his Government colleagues to make a special arrangement in relation to this island, something similar to what has been done for the three Aran Islands where special generators are being provided to enable an electricity supply to be brought to each home. I realise that special moneys would have to be voted for this——
I should prefer it if the Deputy would not make a statement.
I would ask the Minister to consider making a special arrangement in view of the fact that this island has a large community and a similar facility has already been provided for the Aran Islands.
I would advise the Deputy that he may not make statements.
The arrangement for the Aran Islands was one between the ESB and the Department of the Gaeltacht. I understand from the ESB that there are approximately 230 people on the island and the cost would be abnormally high to provide generators for electricity on the island. If the Deputy likes I shall try to get information on the exact amount of the cost in this regard and I shall consider the matter again in the light of that information. However, I understand it will be extremely expensive.
Can the Minister state why it would be exceptionally expensive for Inishboffin when it was not considered exceptionally expensive in relation to Inishmore, which presents greater difficulties?
I am sorry, I do not know.
I would ask the Minister to have another look at this matter because there seems to be a certain amount of discrimination between the islands.
I will do so.