asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that during the recent bank strike, when it was difficult for ESB consumers to pay accounts, service in certain cases was disconnected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disconnection of ESB Supply.
4.
It is provided under section 99 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927 that whenever a person fails to pay charges due to the ESB for electricity, the Board may cut off his supply and may, until such charges and the expenses incurred in cutting off such supply are paid, discontinue the supply of electricity to him. This provision gives to the Board a power that is essential to the carrying on of its business on a commercial basis but it leaves entirely to the Board, as a matter of day-to-day administration, the extent to which and the manner in which this power should be exercised.
The Board has exercised its powers in this respect with good sense and restraint. Electricity accounts are issued each two months and the account form contains the following notice: "This account is now due and should be paid within 30 days but if it includes arrears the total amount due must be paid at once. Otherwise the supply may be withdrawn without further notice". In effect this means that the Board does not give notice of its intention to disconnect supply until an account for four months supply is outstanding. A decision to disconnect is taken in the case of very few consumers and then only when the amount of arrears and the previous record of the consumer are taken into account.
The bank strike was of three months duration and while it lasted, the Board were prepared to accept cheques, including manuscript cheques, in payment of electricity accounts. I have been informed by the ESB that during that period the number of consumers who allowed their electricity accounts to fall into arrear was above average. As a result the number of consumers who were in danger of having supply disconnected also rose. However, there was no increase above average in the number who were, in fact, disconnected. In the circumstances, I consider that the Board continued to act during the bank strike with its customary good sense and restraint.