asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the total number of landlords in private rented accommodation who had been supplied with electricity coin slot meters by the ESB by March 1974 for (a) Dublin, and (b) the entire State.
433.
Written Answers. - ESB Coin Meters.
432.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the total number of houses let in private rented accommodation which had been supplied with electricity coin slot meters by the ESB by March 1974 for (a) Dublin and (b) the entire State.
434.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the total number of houses let in private rented accommodation which had electricity coin slot meters calibrated by the ESB in March 1974 for (a) Dublin, and (b) the entire State.
435.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the total number of houses let in private rented accommodation for which landlords have accounts with the ESB at present for (a) Dublin, and (b) the entire State.
436.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the total number of private landlords who have accounts with the ESB at present for (a) Dublin, and (b) the entire State.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 to 436 inclusive, together.
I am informed by the ESB that the details requested by the Deputy are not available.
437.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he is aware that the May 1975 National Prices Commission Report found that 71 per cent of electricity coin slot meters surveyed were incorrectly calibrated by landlords in private rented accommodation, and that the National Prices Commission have no power to prosecute for overcharging and if so, if he will make an order giving the National Prices Commission power to prosecute for electricity overcharging or to direct the ESB to again undertake calibration of electricity coin slot meters in houses let in private rented accommodation.
438.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he will give the number of complaints of overcharging for electricity coin slot meters dealt with by the National Prices Commission for each year since March 1974.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.
The number of complaints of overcharging for electricity, by way of coin slot meters, received and investigated by my Department for each year since March 1974 were:
|
March to December |
1974 |
None |
|
Year |
1975 |
9 |
|
Year |
1976 |
14 |
|
Year |
1977 |
12 |
|
January 1978 to date |
4 |
I am aware of the contents of the report of the NPC to which the Deputy refers. I would remind the Deputy that the NPC are an advisory body and are not empowered to prosecute persons for contravening any order which fixes the price of a product or service. All such powers are vested in the Minister.
On the basis of the number of complaints received in my Department, I do not consider it necessary to introduce a maximum prices order for electricity charges in slot meters, or to require the ESB to recalibrate all slot meters when price changes occur. I would point out to the Deputy that when any change in electricity prices occurs, the ESB publish, as an advertisement in the national press, details of the correct unit rate for electricity used in flats and recorded by slot meters. There is also a leaflet entitled "Guide to the setting of Electricity Slotmeters in Flats" which shows how slot meters should be correctly calibrated and this leaflet is available free of charge from ESB shops. All complaints of alleged overcharging by landlords for electricity will continue to be investigated by the prices inspectorate of my Department.