asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is satisfied that the present ESB and gas company charges are the minimum that can be charged; and, if so, the steps he has taken to ensure that such is the case.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity and Gas Charges.
16.
I assume that the gas company referred to by the Deputy is the Alliance and Dublin Consumers Gas Company. I am satisfied that present charges by the ESB and by the Dublin Gas Company are, in all the circumstances, the minimum that can be charged.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, applications from both the ESB and the Dublin Gas Company are examined in detail by the National Prices Commission. Increases in the price of electricity and gas in recent months have been due largely to increases in fuel oil prices. There is a formula in operation in both cases which ensures that reductions in fuel oil costs will be reflected in charges.
I realise that the gas company in question is not the responsibility of the Minister as such, as it is a private company. I wonder if the Minister could make a recommendation to the gas company, if they are not doing so already, to introduce a budget system to allow people pay their bills in easy instalments, I mean a budget system which would take into account arrears as much as future bills because of the great difficulties people are facing in meeting these bills? I do not know if the Minister is aware that some of the bills facing Dublin consumers are vastly beyond what they anticipated. Could he make a recommendation to the gas company to do this in order to ease the burden on those people?
As the Deputy has indicated he is aware, this is not my direct departmental responsibility. However, the Minister responsible is sitting beside me, can hear the Deputy as well as I can and no doubt will take note of what the Deputy says. For my own part, I will draw the attention of the gas company and of the ESB to the Deputy's remarks.
Could the Minister say whether there is a further application from the ESB and the gas company for an increase?
That is a separate question.