asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware: (a) that the Electricity Supply Board's revised method of collecting 1/4 weekly electricity accounts from consumers in the Cabra West and Crumlin areas of supply imposes an unfair hardship on certain consumers; (b) that the procedure of disconnecting supply for the non-payment of 1/4 is discriminatory and often involves payment by the consumers disconnected of 30/- to 50/- to have the supply restored; and, if so (c) whether he will instruct the Electricity Supply Board to reduce the reconnection fee to 5/-, which is the fee payable by consumers in other areas whose supply is disconnected for non-payment of electricity accounts very much larger both in period of time unpaid and in the amount due.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Accounts.
The board has not revised its collection methods in the Cabra West and Crumlin areas, nor in any of its other current limiter areas. All current limiter consumers have contracted to pay their charges weekly, and the board's collector calls on a fixed day each week to receive the money due. The disconnection procedure is applied—after due warning— only in those cases in which a consumer has omitted frequently to pay his account when due.
Procedure for disconnecting and reconnecting supply in the case of current limiter consumers varies only in so far as the method of disconnection may have to be varied. The fees chargeable are calculated to cover the cost of disconnection and reconnection only. Where the board's electrician is admitted to the premises to effect the disconnection internally the charge for reconnection varies from 2/- to 6/- according to the circumstances. Otherwise, where the board is compelled to send a gang of four men for the purpose of disconnecting supply from the street, the charge is £1 10s. 0d.
To make a uniform charge such as is suggested, which would be less than the actual cost involved, would have the effect of throwing portion of the cost on to the large body of consumers who pay their accounts regularly.
Is the Minister aware that, whether or not a revised method is in operation, the board will refuse to accept payment of these accounts even if it is tendered at their offices in the city, and that a case can arise where a consumer is actually going in to pay and passes the gang that are going out to disconnect?
I could conceive that happening.
I would ask the Minister if he is prepared to ask the board at least to reconsider their attitude in not accepting payment when tendered at their offices.
Certainly, but may I again draw the Deputy's attention to this portion of the reply: "The disconnection procedure is applied—after due warning—only in those cases in which a consumer has omitted frequently to pay his account when due?"