Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action he is taking to roll out three-phase electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8071/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The availability of three-phase electricity supply is a matter for the electricity sector and not one in which I have a function.

However, my Department administers the farm electrification grant scheme, which subsidises the installation of electricity supply to farms located in disadvantaged areas, which are without supply or where supply is inadequate to facilitate their development and modernisation. Both single-phase and three-phase installations are eligible for assistance under the scheme.

Financial assistance for the conversion to three-phase electricity is provided also under the CLÁR programme which is operated by my Department. The objective of the programme is to address depopulation as well as decline and lack of services in rural areas. CLÁR funds the cost of the customer contribution to the ESB for conversion from single-phase to three-phase electricity for small businesses and enterprises in CLÁR areas with no more than ten employees. The maximum CLÁR funding is €15,000. The businesses must have been previously in receipt of assistance — financial or mentoring, but not earlier than 1 October 1997 — from the county enterprise board, Údarás na Gaeltachta or LEADER group.