asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will arrange for the extension of electricity to Freemount Community Centre, County Cork at the subsidised rate applicable for rural electrification.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Charges.
9.
I am informed by the Electricity Supply Board that the Freemount Community Centre is included in the board's Freemount rural area where development work under the final phase of the subsidised rural electrification scheme has been completed for some time. In the circumstances, it would not be possible to extend supply at the subsidised rates at this stage. If supply is required at unsubsidised rates the appropriate terms will be quoted by the ESB on receipt of an application for supply.
10.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the huge costs demanded from applicants for current under the ESB rural electrification scheme in Ballycroy and other areas in County Mayo; and when he proposes to introduce legislation to increase the present grant from his Department.
11.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he proposes to increase the subsidy payable to the ESB for rural electrification; and whether any application has been made for FEOGA funds to help people in isolated areas to pay the cost of installing power.
12.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if it is proposed to introduce a subsidy for those applying for electricity in rural areas where the former subsidy is no longer available.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 11 and 12 together.
As indicated in my reply to a parliamentary question on the subject on 15th April, 1975, the whole question of electricity supply for houses in remote areas like Ballycroy remaining unconnected following conclusion of the present scheme is at present being reviewed by my Department in consultation with the ESB and it is hoped that this review will be completed shortly. It is not envisaged, however, that the present subsidised arrangements will be continued.
The FEOGA Fund provides for aid for the supply of electricity to farms for farming purposes. The procedure laid down requires individual farmers or groups of farmers to apply to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for participation in the benefits provided by the fund. Aid under this fund would not be available to electricity supply to meet domestic requirements in farmers' houses.
Is the Minister aware that in the area mentioned in the question 95 people applied for rural electrification and that only 24 have accepted because of the high cost involved? In some instances almost £1,200 has been demanded. Would the Minister not agree that this is departing from the whole concept of rural electrification? Would he not consider it necessary to do something about cutting the cost?
I am conscious of the fact that there are areas such as Ballycroy and other districts where the cost of electricity is very high. There is another category that must be considered also, namely, the houses being built in closed areas. I am engaged in this study at the moment and I hope to complete it very shortly. It is my wish to formulate some plan to cater for these people.
Deputy Molloy.
Work has commenced in the area mentioned and this means that the 70 people who have not accepted will be left without any help. Will the Minister ensure that they are given some assistance?
The people who have not applied will not be disadvantaged because the scheme will cater for them.
The Minister mentioned the FEOGA Fund. Will he state who is responsible for making applications, the ESB or the individual applicants?
The individual applicants or groups of applicants.
Would the Minister not consider that the ESB should make the applications? He must be aware it would be impossible for individuals in rural Ireland to make application to FEOGA for this kind of assistance.
They should make application to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries who administer the fund in this country. It is my understanding the ESB cannot make applications. It must be done by the individuals concerned or by groups of applicants.
I am sure the ESB could apply on behalf of the applicants if the matter was further examined.
Will the Minister state——
We cannot debate this matter all afternoon. I called Deputy Molloy earlier but he failed to respond.
The Minister continued to speak.
I called the Deputy.
Did the Minister state that the former subsidy would not be reintroduced?
Not the same one.
In 1973, 12 houses in an area in Connemara were quoted a total capital payment of £630 and in 1975 the same houses were quoted £12,000 for a supply. If the Minister does not intend reintroducing a similar subsidy scheme, what hope does he hold that those households will be supplied with electricity?
I do not know what the Deputy is talking about. If he gives me the information I will find out the reason or if he puts down a question I will answer it.
The houses in question are in Derryvereada, Recess——
That is a specific question.
I will find out the reason and let the Deputy know.
Is the Minister aware that when the original quotation was given representations were made through Roinn na Gaeltachta because the area is in the Gaeltacht and the persons concerned were given reason to believe there was some hope of assistance from that source? The ESB completed rural electrification in the area and moved on and when the people made application again they were informed the costs had increased from £50 per house to £1,000——
The Deputy is seeking to debate this matter. That is not in order.
Will these people be put at a disadvantage——
There are other Deputies offering. We cannot remain on this question all afternoon. I am calling Deputy Power.
On several occasions in the last two years the Minister stated that this matter was under review. Will he give some indication when the review will be completed and when the new scheme of assistance, by way of subsidy or otherwise, will be available?
The review is almost complete. I cannot give the Deputy any indication when or if the new scheme will be introduced. That is a matter for the Government.
Is the Minister aware that, in my constituency, people in new and old houses have suffered frightful hardship for some years because they have been unable to afford the huge sums being asked by the ESB, nor will the ESB accept instalments on those sums? Could the Minister now advise me as to how I should advise these people? Does the Minister think he will have some hope to offer them within the next few weeks?
I could not say I would have any hope to offer them within the next few weeks. This is one category of people being asked for large sums for electricity supply. That is one of the things I am investigating. I have to go through any scheme involving money. I would have to go to the Government with a scheme and they would have to OK it before I could introduce it.
The Minister will appreciate that we have been following up this matter now for some months, that nothing has been done and that large sums of money have been found by this body for other capital expenditure. Does the Minister not think it is an indictment of his Ministry that this situation has been allowed to continue for so long?
I do not.
Deputy Calleary rose.
I am calling the next question, No. 13. The Chair has allowed a series of questions on this matter; in fact the Chair has allowed something in the nature of a debate on this matter. It is appreciated that Deputy Calleary has a question down; one brief supplementary, and then I must pass on to the next question.
Could I have one supplementary?
The Chair will not be intimidated.
I shall try to be brief. The Chair will realise that I did not get any chance of asking any supplementary question.
If the Deputy had offered, he would have been called.
Two Deputies could not speak together, A Cheann Comhairle. Could the Minister say whether he will ask the ESB as an agent to make application for grants under the FEOGA fund on behalf of people in isolated areas to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries as has been happening in other European countries?
My understanding is that individual farmers, or groups of farmers, must apply themselves to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for grants under this fund.
Because the ESB are the sole agents surely they could make application on behalf of these people?
I understand not, Deputy. I shall check it out again but that is the information I have here— that applications to the FEOGA fund must come from farmers.
Will the Minister communicate with me on this matter?
I will.