asked the Minister for Transport and Power when it may be expected that the ESB will abolish special service charges; and, if they do not propose to do so in toto at once or in the immediate future, if he will advise the ESB to do so in relation to Gaealtacht and congested areas.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Special Charges.
3.
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 supply 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 a subsidy of £75, high charges are necessary because of the very large amount of capital which the ESB would have to lay out in extending supply to them. Unfortunately, there is no way in which those charges can be reduced, short of an inordinately high subsidy. The funds which can be allocated for rural electrification are limited and revision of the subsidy arrangements would tend to result in the dissipation of quite a disproportionate amount of available resources in subsidisation of a relatively small number of extremely uneconomic connections.
Special service charges are a universal feature of electricity tariffs and the Government have already, by providing considerable financial assistance, succeeded in reducing their incidence in this country. The Electricity Supply Board are precluded by statute from giving preferential treatment in the matter of electricity charges to residents in particular areas of the country.
Towards the end of the present scheme for rural electrification the position will be examined but I cannot, at this stage, say what the outcome will be.
Then, the answer is that the Minister did not recommend to the ESB to abolish special service charges, either in the Gaeltacht or congested areas?
The Minister cannot answer for the Gaeltacht, but the reply has stated the actual position.
Is the Minister refusing to advise the ESB to abolish special service charges, either in the Gaeltacht or congested areas? I asked him if he would so advise them; is he refusing to do so?
That is not the question.
I asked the Minister if he would advise the ESB to abolish special service charges in the Gaeltacht and congested areas——
I have just explained to the Deputy the reasons why the Minister cannot advise them.
——and the Minister will not do it.
I have been asked if the Minister will advise these people to do this, and I have explained the reasons why the Minister cannot at present advise the ESB to do this.
Well, then, the Minister is not prepared to advise the ESB.