asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that it is the practice for electricity meters in the married quarters of Defence Force personnel to be read at intervals of six months resulting in a very considerable electricity bill being presented twice yearly; and if he will make arrangements that in future all such meters are read and bills submitted at two monthly intervals as for other electricity consumers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Married Quarters.
75.
The meters are read at two-monthly intervals, and the aim is to recover the charge for a two-monthly period before the charge for the next period is raised. This is, in fact, happening in the great majority of cases but, since the scheme is a comparatively new one, there have been cases, particularly where changes of unit have occurred, where administrative difficulties have resulted in periods overlapping. The system is being examined with a view to revising it so that such occurrences will not continue.
Might I ask the Minister where a meter has not been read for six months, and that imposes an unnecessary hardship on those concerned, would he give them a longer period to pay off the account rather than deduct it over such a short period? I have a case in which undue hardship is being imposed. If the Minister will look into the matter I will give him the details.
I will gladly have the matter looked into if the Deputy gives me the particulars.