asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware that the special service charge for electricity supply asked of Mr. Joseph McPartland and of four other farmers in Lacoon, Glenfarne, County Leitrim, is beyond their capacity to pay; and, if so, whether the ESB will consider a reduction in the charge on these people.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Special Service Charge.
42.
Under the subsidy arrangements for rural electrification introduced by the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1962 it is possible for some 96 per cent of rural dwellers to have electricity at reasonable charges.
The remaining 4 per cent are in locations remote from the supply lines and the cost of extending supply to them is very high. In their case, despite subsidy of £75, high charges are necessary to remunerate the capital which the ESB would have to lay out in extending the supply to them. Unfortunately, there is no way in which those charges can be reduced short of an inordinately high subsidy which I could not recommend to the Government. I should add that the same principles of charging are applied throughout the country.
The householder mentioned in the Deputy's question was quoted a high special service charge because of the very isolated position of the premises. The other four householders referred to have been quoted terms which include special service charges amounting to approximately 40 per cent of the fixed charges and these terms have been accepted.
In view of the Minister's statement that only four per cent of the people are in this particular category and, as he has admitted that they are living in isolated areas which the Minister must remember is not their fault, surely he will agree that it is unfair to ask these people in isolated areas, and mostly poorer areas, to pay the full cost as they are asked to do at the moment and pay the extra service charge? Is it not a fact that the remainder of the community would willingly give that additional amount in order to give fair treatment to these unfortunate people living in isolated areas?
I have already made the position quite clear on a number of occasions. If the special service charges were abolished the additional loss to the ESB on rural electrification would be of the order of £350,000. On top of the existing loss of nearly £1 million, there would be an additional loss, if the people living in these very remote areas were connected, of the order of £330,000. I should regard 96 per cent connection in our circumstances as very satisfactory and I think we are doing the very best job we can under the circumstances.
I do not dispute that but what I want to bring home to the Minister is this: is it not a fact that the Government at present are suggesting, at any rate, that they have a really keen interest in the welfare of people in rural areas, particularly isolated areas, and would this not be a most practicable way to show the Government's sincere interest in the welfare of these people? Is the Minister not aware that they will not stay in these areas and carry this heavy burden?
I have already made the position clear to the Deputy.