asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the result of the official canvass for rural electrification in each of the following districts in South Kerry, viz., Templenoe, Sneem-Tahilla, Caherdaniel-Castlecove, Waterville-Mastergeehy, Ballinskelligs, Portmagee-Valentia Island, Kells, Glenbeigh-Glencar, and Bonane-Tuosist, showing the percentage of acceptors in each area; and when it is likely that current will be extended to all these areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification in South Kerry.
As the reply to the first part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement of information obtained from the E.S.B., I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that Mastergeehy is included in the Waterville area, to which supply has recently been extended, but it was not found feasible to extend supply to Master-geehy, as the response from the residents was not sufficiently good. Kells is included in the Cahirciveen area, to which supply has recently been extended. It was found that very high special service charges would be required to make the extension of supply to Kells economic.
The areas awaiting development will be considered for selection in due course, and the decision of the board will depend on how their returns then compare with those for other areas awaiting development in the board's Tralee district.
Following is the statement in reply to the first part of the question:—
|
Area |
Percentage of residents who agreed to accept supply |
Position in regard to development |
|
Templenoe |
81% |
Considered by the board, but not, so far, selected. |
|
Ballinskelligs |
39% |
do. |
|
Portmagee-Valentia Island |
37.4% |
do. |
|
Glenbeigh-Glencar |
67% |
do. |
|
Cahirdaniel-Castlecove |
58% |
Will be considered for selection by the board, in due course. |
|
Sneem-Tahilla |
— |
Official canvass will com- mence shortly. |
|
Bonane-Tuosist |
— |
do. |
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that five of the districts are in the Fíor-Ghaeltacht and the other four in the Gaeltacht and that it would be well to take steps as soon as possible to ensure that rural electrification be extended to these areas in order to brighten the lives of the people and help them to remain there, and that its extension should be expedited?
I have every sympathy with the Deputy's point of view as I am a Deputy from the Gaeltacht myself, but any special aid in the matter should be sought from the Minister for the Gaeltacht.
That Minister has only been appointed.