asked the Minister for Transport and Power what areas in North Tipperary will be served with electricity under the rural electrification scheme during the next twelve months; and whether, in view of the injustice of the present system whereby the Electricity Supply Board continue to charge ground rent for poles and wires to supply current to uneconomic areas after the full cost of the erection of the poles and wires has been paid by the consumer, he will take steps, including if necessary the introduction of legislation, to ensure that excessive ground rents are not charged for these areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification in North Tipperary.
16.
On inquiry, I have been informed by the Electricity Supply Board that all areas in North Tipperary have been developed under the rural electrification scheme. It is not possible to say when the supply will be extended to individual houses and small groups of houses which remain without supply as this will depend on the receipt of applications from householders and their agreement to the terms quoted.
Regarding the second part of the question, the function of "ground rents", more correctly called "fixed charges", is to meet the standing charges on the capital cost of the supply network, that is interest and sinking fund as well as the charges for maintaining and renewing the network at the end of its useful life and also the cost of administration. These charges are necessary and are determined on a uniform basis. They remain as long as the supply is required.
Will the Minister say whether the recent change in the requirements of the ESB will mean a reduction in those charges?
If the Deputy reads my speech on the Second Reading of the Electricity Supply Bill he will get the answer.
The Taoiseach assured me that they were being included but the Minister seems to think that they are not.
The 15,000 consumers in the rural area who now pay electricity charges will have their charges reduced in respect of a certain number completely and in respect of a certain number by half.