asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will extend for a further period the subsidy under the ESB rural electrification scheme to enable those who have not already availed of this subsidy to make application.
130.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
129.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the high cost of installing electricity in new homes in rural areas; and if he will take steps to ensure that the rural electrification subsidy will apply to all houses.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.
The present post-development programme for rural electrification comes to an end on 31st March, 1975. I have now received a report from the Electricity Supply Board dealing with the future provision of rural electrification. I am at present examining this report. I may say, however, at this stage that there is no intention of continuing the scheme in its present form after 31st March, 1975. By that date all areas will have been covered three times by a comprehensive canvass and construction programme and in fact 98 per cent of all residences in the country will have supply.
Would the Minister consider a new scheme after 31st March? He says that 98 per cent of existing homes will have supply, but a number of new homes are being built. People are getting bills for £600 and £700 for electricity connection.
That is outside the scope of the questions asked.
Would he consider a new subsidy in view of the fact that a number of new houses——
The Deputy should put down a question to that effect.
I will ask it in a different manner. Will he bring in a new scheme after 31st March?
That is a separate question.
New houses have been built recently and people have got huge bills for the installation of electricity. Will the ESB be able to deal with them before or after 31st March?
I understand that, as the end of the four-year programme is being approached, a comprehensive report on the future provision for rural electrification following the completion of the programme has been requested from the ESB. I understand that this report—I am not quite clear as to whether it has been completely finalised —has been requested. It will be forwarded to the appropriate Minister for decision and for action by the Government. The matter of at least planning the next phase is well in hand.
New houses have been built which seem to have missed the subsidy. They are still a problem.
I appreciate the point the Deputy is making. I understand that the ESB have been seized of that problem for some time and that there is a report either completed or very nearly completed which, I hope, will form the basis for some future action.