asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended to request the occupiers of the married quarters in the Curragh Camp to pay the ESB charges in future, which would represent a worsening of their conditions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Charges to Curragh Camp Married Quarters.
88.
As from the 1st May, 1964, the occupiers of all men's married quarters erected prior to 1954 are being required to pay at ESB local rates for electricity consumed by them. This is already the position in respect of men's married quarters erected in 1954 and subsequent years. The deduction in respect of the former type quarters was 5/- a week which covered the quarters, furniture, light and water. Under the new arrangement, the deduction has been reduced to 3/- a week to cover the quarters, furniture and water.
Surely the Minister will agree that in this case it is a reduction in the weekly income of those people?
I do not think so.
Will the Minister explain if the ESB will supply light free to them or, if light is not being supplied free, who will pay for it?
In respect of all the other quarters, since 1954, payment has been made direct to the ESB by the occupants and they are supplied with current for space heating, cooking and other purposes now usual. These pre-1954 houses had light only.
But they have to pay for all, including light.
Yes, but they did not have anything but light up to now.
There was no reduction formerly in respect of electricity supplied to them. This is progress á la Fianna Fáil, I suppose.