asked the Minister for Transport and Power when he anticipates the rural electrification drive will be back to pre-credit-restriction conditions; and if he can give an indication of the period it will take to clear the arrears caused by the credit squeeze.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
4.
The amount allocated for expenditure on rural electrification in 1967-68 is £1.98 million which compares with an expenditure of £1.4 million in 1966-67 and £1.89 million in 1965-66. There was a slowing down in the rate of connections in the post-development programme in 1966-67 because of the general limitation on capital expenditure and the need to meet continuing commitments such as system improvements.
As a result of an additional capital allocation of £300,000 made available for rural electrification in November last and the increased amount of capital allocated for this purpose in the current year all householders in areas already re-canvassed to whom a firm commitment had been made will have been connected by July, 1967.
It is estimated that, at the present rate of progress, the post-development programme will be completed in about three years.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that when the credit restrictions were imposed, there was a considerable discharge of personnel and, as a result, the ESB have not got the personnel to meet their commitments? Is he aware that that is the cause of the delay at the moment and there is no other cause?
I am not so aware.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that some staff were discharged when the credit restrictions were imposed?
No.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary say that the ESB have had the same personnel right through, even during the period of credit restrictions when the ESB were doing nothing but servicing and were not undertaking new connections?
I have no information as to the number of personnel engaged by the ESB as that has nothing to do with the question as such.
If the Parliamentary Secretary inquiries, he will find that I am right.