Vol. 307 No. 6
andMr. Mitchell asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will take steps to prevent the growing problem of tenants who pay for their electricity by slot meters, the contents of which are collected by the landlord who subsequently refuses to pay the ESB bill, thereby forcing the tenant to pay for the electricity a second time or have his supply disconnected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
17.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will take up with the ESB the question of opening accounts directly with tenants of private rented accommodation.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the reply to a somewhat similar question on 8 December 1977—Volume 302, No. 7, columns 1111-1112—in which I explained that the arrangements for supply of electricity, which include opening of accounts, and collection of charges therefor are settled by the ESB in accordance with normal commercial practice and as such are not matters in which I intervene.
I understand, however, from the board that they will make supply available direct to any applicant who complies with their standard terms and conditions for supply and that in fact many of the board's existing customers are tenants of private rented accommodation.
: Does the Minister accept that there is a substantial degree of injustice in the situation where some people living in private rented accommodation—I presume they are taxpayers—are in effect deprived of the right to enjoy access to electricity which is in a monopoly position? Is the Minister aware that there is a genuine difficulty here for some tenants, who for one reason or another may not be able to contact their landlord or may have a difference of opinion with him and are thereby deprived of the right to heat water for a bottle for a baby or to heat their own room? The Minister should consider intervening in this matter.
: The ESB are willing to give an independent connection to any tenant who, within reason, requires it. I presume the Deputy is referring to a situation where the landlord had not paid the bill and the electricity was cut off. That could be avoided.
: I am also talking about a case where a landlord wants the tenant put out.
: I understand that unfortunately that has happened in some instances, but it is primarily a landlord and tenant matter. The tenant could overcome it by asking the ESB to give him either a direct connection which, I understand, they would normally be willing to do.
: Is the Minister aware that that is not possible in multitenant houses because the ESB cannot give separate supplies unless they get the consent of the landlord? Is the Minister not aware that this is a severe problem in urban areas?
: I am not certain that the ESB would have to get the consent of the landlord to give an independent supply. I imagine that if facilities were available it should be possible to arrange an independent supply for most tenants. I imagine that in some houses where there are a lot of bed-sitters it might be difficult but in any large flats it should be possible.
: The question refers to bed-sitters. Is the Minister aware that this is a big problem in Dublin? Landlords refuse to bring tenants to court in order to get them to vacate but blackmail them by turning off the electricity and the water? It so happens that the electricity can be turned off if the bill is not paid although tenants have already paid for the electricity to the landlord. Will the Minister take steps to stop this?
: This question has already been asked on the Order Paper. The Deputy is repeating the question.
: The matter was raised more than six months ago and I am not sure that the Minister was aware then of the seriousness of the problem. Will he have discussions with the ESB about the matter?
: Essentially, it is a landlord and a tenant problem and arises out of the relationship between landlords and tenants. Ideally, this difficulty, which I have no doubt exists in some instances, should be overcome by suitable landlord and tenant legislation. I am sure the Deputy appreciates that it is difficult for the ESB to become involved in these landlord and tenant disputes.
: Would the Minister accept that it is a matter under his jurisdiction to ensure that all citizens have equal access to electricity, which is supplied by an organisation which has a monopoly? Should he not ensure that they have access to electricity because of the enormous social implications and hardships endured by some people?
: The Deputy is widening the scope of the questions.
: Within reason all citizens have access to electricity.
: Would the Minister accept that a simple solution to the problem would be to suggest to the ESB that in such circumstances instead of disconnecting the supply they collect the amount due to them by the landlord by means of a civil process? Would the Minister agree that that is a simple solution which would obviate the problem entirely?
: It is possible that the ESB do that already in some cases.
: Would the Minister agree to give this further sympathetic consideration in view of the fact that his attitude is compassionate to the problem and he obviously sees the difficulty?
: I will ask the ESB to see if they can do anything about the problem.
