With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the statement issued by the Electricity Supply Board on Monday, 22 October 1979. The 10.13 per cent increase in overall electricity prices announced by the board and effective from the October-November 1979 billing period—that is, bills issuing on or after 1 December 1979—represents a reactivation of the fuel cost variation clause and is designed solely to compensate the board for increases in the cost of fuel oil in recent months.
The increase was approved by the Government on the basis of a recommendation from the National Prices Commission. While the overall average increase approved is 10.13 per cent the increase in general domestic rates—other than for night storage heating—will be lower at 9.37 per cent. This will have the effect of increasing the average cost of electricity to domestic consumers by about 25p per week, although for some 60 per cent of domestic consumers the increase will be lower. This increase, while due to factors outside the control of the board, nevertheless highlights the board's heavy dependence on imported oil and the need for greater diversification in energy sources for electricity generation. The Government have ensured and will continue to ensure that only unavoidable increases in electricity charges are passed on to the consumer and that every effort is made by the board to offset their internal cost increases by increases in productivity and regulation of manpower levels.
I do not at this stage envisage any special measures being taken to offset increases in electricity charges to the consumer. I should like to emphasise that this latest increase in electricity charges does not in any way affect the scheme for the provision of free electricity to certain categories of old aged and disabled persons since the number of free units allowed is not dependent on unit cost. Future increases in electricity charges will be dependent to a large extent on the movement of prices in the international oil market.