asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that qualified old age pensioners who should be receiving the concession in regard to the suspension of fixed charge for electricity are being required to pay special charges in some cases amounting to as much as 11/6d weekly over the two monthly period; and if he will take urgent steps to remove these charges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Special Service Charge.
61.
Under the scheme for the provision of free electricity, qualified pensioners are entitled only to relief from the cost of the fixed charge on the domestic consumer two-part tariff, in addition to receiving up to 100 units of electricity free of charge, in each two month period. Extension of the scheme to include relief from special service charges is not at present contemplated.
Does the Minister consider it is fair that one old age pensioner has free electricity and another old age pensioner has to pay as much as 11/6d per week for it? Surely that is not an equitable scheme?
The scheme does not provide for free electricity for anybody.
It is free in some cases.
It depends on the consumption. The scheme covers only the normal fixed charge over the two-monthly period and up to 100 units in any period. The consumer has got to pay for anything over and above that.
And in every case the full fixed charge is paid?
The normal fixed charge. Any extra charge imposed is not paid.
Therefore there is a distinction between one pensioner and another in relation even to the fixed charge?
No.
One pensioner pays a fixed charge of 11/6d and the other man pays no fixed charge.
In cases where there is an extra charge imposed, it is not met by my Department.
Surely the Department should look into that?
It brings up an important issue. There are many people who refuse to have electricity installed on account of the charge being imposed. If I were to meet the extra charge imposed in such cases, I would have to arrange to have these people brought in as consumers, in some cases at a prohibitive fee.
There is very little involved in meeting this.
There is a lot involved.