asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce special conditions for pensioners who qualify for free electricity, to enable them to overcome the considerable cost of the initial installation of electricity supply.
74.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Electricity Supply.
73.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a number of cottages erected by Kerry County Council over the past few years have been wired but that the occupants cannot get electricity supply owing to the special charge demanded by the ESB; and that some of these cottages are occupied by old age pensioners who, if the problems of the initial supply were overcome, could apply for the free electricity scheme; and if he will take steps to ease the situation for pensioners in this position.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together.
The scheme of free electricity in addition to providing an allowance of up to 100 units free of charge in each two-month period also provides relief in full from the normal fixed charge which depends on the size of the dwelling. There is no provision in the scheme for relief from the special service charge which is levied on consumers in certain circumstances, in addition to the fixed charge, and as I indicated in reply to a question on 27th March, 1968, extension of the scheme to provide relief from these special service charges is not at present contemplated.
Does the Minister not consider, having regard to the fact that this type of service is for the people concerned that it is imperative to allow them to avail of the service and does he not agree that the initial cost of installation is formidable for these people and will he not do something about it?
As I have said in a previous reply, the Department are not considering the extension of the scheme. We are not in a position yet to say what the overall cost of the existing scheme will be. It did not anticipate cost of installation.
Does the Minister not agree that the cost of installation is preventing a number of deserving people from availing of the service which he intends they should have? That being so, surely he must consider that it is imperative to remove the obstacle?
The fact that they know that they can get current free or at a reduced rate would be a great incentive to them to take supply.
Surely the Minister is aware that installation requires cash which these people have not got?
It is a different scheme. The scheme was to provide part of the cost up to a certain maximum for people who have electricity installed but does not provide for installation. That is a separate scheme.
You are providing something for them which they cannot obtain. You are codding them.
People who already have electricity installed could then justify asking for a refund.
No. We are talking about installation.