asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is possible to have a better service provided than that proposed to be provided by the ESB as stated in a reply to an application for electric current extension to the house of a person (name supplied) that 1975 was the earliest date by which a supply could be provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supplies.
5.
I am informed by the ESB that the householder in question lives in the board's Ballyvaughan rural area and that he did not accept the terms for supply quoted to him during the recanvass of the area under the rural electrification planned post-development scheme. It will not be possible to give unconnected householders in Ballyvaughan a further opportunity to take supply until work under the programme has been carried out in the outstanding areas in the board's Tuam group into which Ballyvaughan falls. The programme is proceeding on a planned basis, area by area, so as to ensure that the available resources are utilised to the fullest possible extent and it is not expected that Ballyvaughan will be reached before 1975.
6.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware that a person (name supplied) has been refused connection of electricity supply to his farm except at a prohibitive charge although the farm is adjacent to Ardnacrusha power station; and if he will take steps to have the charge reduced to an equitable amount.
I am informed by the ESB that the farm in question is two miles from Ardnacrusha power station and that it would not be technically feasible to extend supply from the station to the farm. Because the costs of connecting the farm were high, the terms for supply quoted to the householder in 1967 included a high special service charge. These terms were not accepted. As a result of the reduction in high special service charges arranged by the Government in June, 1968, the terms on which supply could now be made available to the householder are substantially below those quoted in 1967. The householder should contact the ESB district manager at O'Connell Street, Limerick.
Is the Minister not aware that the applicant was not one of those people who declined to accept the ESB terms at that time and having regard to the close proximity of the power station would he not try to ensure that more reasonable terms are provided in this instance?
My information is that the original terms, quoting a very high special service charge in 1967 of £8 3s 4d per two monthly period, were not acceptable. Now, as a result of the arrangements made in June 1968 the offer is cut by practically half, to £4 12s every two months. He should contact the ESB in Limerick and settle on that basis which appears to be reasonable as the service charge quoted has been cut by half.
Has the applicant been made aware of this?
I am amazed. All he has to do is call to Limerick.