asked the Minister for Transport and Power if the ESB will continue to have a special service charge for those who wish to have ESB supply installed in their homes.
Ceisteanna——Questions. Oral Answers. - Special Service Charge.
133.
I am informed by the ESB that under the terms of the board's subsidised rural electrification programme, a special service charge is required if the normal fixed charge, based on the floor area of the premises, does not yield an economic return on the capital invested in the extension.
Terms for supply have already been quoted in 85 per cent of the rural areas, under the subsidised scheme. These areas are now closed and new applicants are subject to the unsubsidised supply conditions applying throughout urban areas. In such cases special service charges are not applicable but a capital charge is applicable if the expected revenue does not cover the cost of bringing supply to the consumer. Due to the magnitude of the capital financing programme the board are unable to accept these capital charges by way of deferred payments.
Special service charges will, of course, be quoted, where appropriate, in the remaining rural areas which have not yet been fully developed under the final phase of the subsidised rural electrification programme.
Is the Minister aware of the severe hardship on many people who are most anxious to have an electricity supply installed in their homes and who are not able to meet the financial demands?
The Minister and the Government are so aware. I understand that planning in regard to the next stage of electricity supply is in hand but I am not in a position to anticipate what the contents of those plans will be. I assure the Deputy that certain anomalous and difficult cases are well recognised in the Department.
When is it expected that the Minister will have this report to hand?
I do not wish to hedge. I am less familiar with this matter than I might be and, with regret, I am not in a position to give the Deputy a firm answer.
Perhaps the Minister would communicate with me.
I will have it noted