asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will recommend to the ESB to discontinue charging meter rent to social welfare beneficiaries, in view of the ESB's decision to increase their charges by seven per cent.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Meter Rents.
3.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will investigate the reason for, and the need for the ESB to continue to charge meter rent in respect of meters used by domestic consumers for a long number of years.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
Under section 93 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927 the ESB is precluded from granting preferential treatment to particular persons or classes of persons.
I am informed by the Board that a specific meter rent is charged to consumers on the two-part tariff only in respect of any meter which the consumer may require in excess of one. The two-part tariff consists of a fixed charge and a charge for the quantity of electricity consumed. There is a small and diminishing number of consumers charged at flat rate and in these cases rental is charged in respect of each meter installed to recoup to the Board the annual capital and other charges arising from the installation of the meters. These charges, of course, continue to arise as long as the meter remains installed. These consumers may change to the two-part tariff on request.
I am not satisfied that any significant hardship arises out of these charges which would warrant amendment of the relevant legislation. The Government have been able to raise social welfare payments at frequent intervals to the maximum that is considered possible and it is not considered desirable to introduce discriminatory practices of the kind suggested.
The increased charges sought by the ESB are intended to bridge the gap between revenue and expenditure. They would not, therefore, provide the Board with any surplus which would make it possible to abolish meter rents for any category of consumers. The price alterations announced by the Board do not provide for an increase in the rental for slot-meters.
Is the Minister aware that because of their means, social welfare beneficiaries find great hardship in paying this meter rent of 10/-every two months? That being so, is he further aware that the cost of these meters is infinitesimal by comparison with the amount of money paid by such consumers during the years?
This question is always arguable but I think the Government's decision that it is best to increase social welfare benefits and assistance as often and by as much as possible is a better way of doing it than to have the ESB take discriminatory practice. If the ESB did it in one case, they would have to do it in others, and the system would become most complex. I should point out that old age pensions were increased for persons whose means were at the very minimum and this served as a help to them to pay such charges.
Surely the Minister is not suggesting that increases in social welfare assistance should be utilised to pay these charges?
I did not say that. I said they contributed towards assisting people at the very lowest level of means.