asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will now request the Electricity Supply Board to extend the rural electrification scheme to the Lisselton, Listowel, Ballylongford and Asdee areas in view of the fact that there is now 100 per cent. subscription list for connection in the areas in question and that recent extensions of the scheme to adjoining areas should now, by reducing the cost of installation, justify the required outlay by the board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that a canvass of the householders in the Lisselton area will be carried out by the board in the near future. It is expected that the selection of the area for development will come before the board for consideration towards the end of this year.
The selection of the Listowel, area for development was considered by the board in December last. The area was not selected on that occasion as its financial return did not compare favourably with the other areas. The selection of this area will again be considered by the board towards the end of March or early in April next.
The two districts of Asdee and Ballylongford together form one area for the purposes of the rural electrification scheme. The householders in the Asdee neighbourhood have been canvassed by a local committee. The board are awaiting a report from the committee in regard to the Ballylongford district. When this report is received the board will decide whether a canvass of the entire area by board's officials should be undertaken.
I am also informed that the development of adjoining areas is always taken into account by the board in estimating the cost of extending the current to a new area under the rural electrification scheme.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when the Electricity Supply Board hope to complete the development of the Castle-townberehaven area under the rural electrification scheme.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that it is anticipated that work on the erection of the distribution network in the Castletownberehaven area will be completed at the end of July next.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state when the rural electrification scheme will be extended to the Watergrass-hill, Shanballymore, Ballyhooly and Mitchelstown areas, County Cork.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the question of extending the rural electrification scheme to these areas will be again considered by the board during the present month. It is not possible to say at this stage what the decision will be.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the Electricity Supply Board have plans for the extension of electric current to the towns of Dunfanaghy and Falcarragh, County Donegal; and, if so, when it is proposed implementing them.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the provision of electric current to Dunfanaghy and Falcarragh, County Donegal, is dependent on the extension of the main transmission line from Letterkenny and that this extension can be carried out economically only in conjunction with the construction of the hydro-electric station on the River Clady. A detailed scheme for this river is in the course of preparation but it is not possible at this stage to indicate when construction work may be commenced.