asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will instruct the ESB to exercise an important social role by not charging voluntary community groups in already deprived urban areas a connection fee for electricity installation in their community office or centre; and if he considers that the great social good thus achieved would far outweigh the negligible loss of funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Installation Charge.
12.
The ESB are precluded by the statute under which they were established from giving preferential treatment to any customer or class of consumer and no special arrangement can therefore be made for community groups.
The Minister's answer is not in accordance with fact. Are there not exceptions in respect of elderly people, and in regard to rural electrification? Would the Minister not agree that the amount of good that could be done warrants the giving to the ESB of a small subsidy in order to enable them to do this?
Rural electrification is financed through payment by the Department of Social Welfare to the ESB. The ESB are precluded from giving preferential treatment to voluntary bodies.
Would the Minister have a look at a letter which the chairman of the ESB has sent to Dublin Corporation indicating that the door would not be closed if the Government were willing to take an interest in it? Would the Minister use his good offices, particularly with regard to inner city areas? The amount of money involved would be very small but it would help the local communities.
I will pass on the Deputy's remarks to the Minister for the Environment.
Questions Nos. 13 and 14 postponed.