asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the E.S.B. in its report for 1953-54 stated, with reference to the rate of development under the rural electrification scheme, that it was intended to effect a further increase in the course of the then coming year bringing the rate of construction to 100 areas per annum, and in subsequent reports described its progress by reference to this project; and, if so, if he will state (a) the exact circumstances which operated to limit the rate of development in 1956-57 to 80 areas, and (b) if it is intended to maintain development of this rate in 1957-58, or whether a further reduction is contemplated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification: Development Rate.
I am aware of the statements referred to. With regard to the last part of the Deputy's question I would refer him to (a) my reply to a similar question by another Deputy on 24th October; and (b) my reply to the Deputy's previous question on 25th October.
Mr. Lemass
Is the Minister suggesting that he has ever replied to that question here? Is he suggesting that he has replied to the question as to what has operated to bring about this 20 per cent. cut in the rural electrification scheme?
If the Deputy looks at my previous replies he will see that the matter is comprehensively answered.
Mr. Lemass
I asked the Minister at least half a dozen times——
And he replied half a dozen times.
Mr. Lemass
——and he refused to answer. What is the explanation? Why the secrecy about answering?
There is no secrecy. I do not believe in secrecy.
Mr. Lemass
Will the Minister now tell us what is the explanation for the cut in the rural electrification scheme?
May I give some further information on this matter?
Mr. Lemass
Will the Minister answer that question first?
Yes, that will be included. The maximum number of areas developed by the Deputy when he was in office was 60. The minimum number that will be developed this year is 80. That is an increase of 33? per cent. over the best the Deputy ever did and substantially more than 33 per cent. over the average of the number of areas developed when the Deputy was in office. On top of that, the total amount of money spent by the Deputy's Government on rural electrification during its last year of office was £2,600,000; this year at least £3,400,000 will be spent on the rural electrification scheme. Is it not clear, therefore, that there has been a greater acceleration in the provision for development under rural electrification and a greater expenditure of money than there would have been had the Deputy's Government remained in office, having regard to its performance when it was in office?
Mr. Lemass
Has the Minister not just informed the Dáil that he is aware that the E.S.B. in its report for the year 1953-1954, when I was Minister, stated that it intended to bring about an increase in the rate of development under rural electrification to 100 areas per annum? Did the Minister not state on his Estimate this year that the rate of development would be 100 areas in this year? Has that not already been cut down this year? What has caused it to be cut down this year? Will the Minister answer that question?
While the board was saying these things, apparently, when the Deputy was in office, the facts were that they were not doing these things.
Mr. Lemass
What has caused the cut this year? Answer the question and sit down. If the Minister does not want to answer, will he sit down?
A white elephant.
We have gone higher than the Deputy's Government ever reached. He has no reason to be annoyed about that. He should be gratified.
Mr. Lemass
Will the Minister answer the question: what has caused the rate of reduction this year and how many workers have been disemployed because of the rate of reduction this year?
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the number of rural dwellings in the Twenty-Six Counties; (b) the number of such dwellings now connected with the E.S.B. network; and (c) the number of such dwellings listed for connection, and the date by which such dwellings will be connected on the basis of (i) the completion of 80 areas per annum, and (ii) the tapering off programme now announced.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that (a) the total number of rural dwellings in the Twenty-Six Counties is estimated at approximately 400,000. (b) The number of such dwellings connected with the E.S.B. network on 30th September, 1956, was 181,000. (c) There are approximately 120,000 dwellings in the areas which have not yet been developed but it will be appreciated that the number of these dwellings which will be actually connected will depend on the percentage of acceptance in these areas.
As regards the last part of the question, the rate of progress of the rural electrification scheme is measured by the number of areas developed rather than by the number of houses connected. Assuming that at least 80 areas will have been completed in the current financial year the number of areas then remaining undeveloped will be approximately 250 out of a total of approximately 800 areas. As I have already indicated, the rate of development for future years is still the subject of discussion with the board.
Mr. de Valera
Is there any uniformity in the number of houses in these areas—any uniformity in the areas at all?
I do not think so. The areas are geographically arranged rather than on the basis of house density.
It is perfectly evident that outside the existing programme of the E.S.B. there are residents whose property and qualifications are similar to those taking current. In view of that fact, is the tapering off and the reduction due to——
The Deputy is making a speech.
——in view of the fact that there is a tremendous amount of work to be done——
Does the Deputy wish to ask a supplementary question?
Mr. Lemass
He would not get an answer anyway.