asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce how many householders in County Dublin had to pay more than the normal rate to have electric current connected to their homes by the E.S.B. although they qualified under the provisions of the rural electrification scheme, and why the additional charge was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Electricity Charges.
I am informed by the E.S.B. that out of 6,334 rural consumers in County Dublin there are 245 consumers (less than 4 per cent.) paying special service charges in addition to their normal fixed charges for supply to their premises under the rural electrification scheme. These special service charges were necessary as the provision of supply at the normal fixed charge would not have been economic, and the practice followed in County Dublin has been in operation since 1946.
Under statute the fixing of charges for the supply of electricity is a matter solely for the E.S.B. and in respect of which I have no function.