asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will introduce legislation to require the Electricity Supply Board to replace, in the case of old age pensioners and people with small means, the present method of collecting bills by lumpsum every two months by installing coin meters, or to replace the meter rental system by payment only for the amount of current used, as the present system creates great hardship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Method of Payment for Domestic Electricity.
42.
The method of collecting payment for electricity supplied is a matter of the day-to-day administration of the Electricity Supply Board.
I am informed by the Board that their present arrangements provide that—
(1) Locked collection boxes are available and can be bought from the Board at a small charge to enable consumers with small means to save to meet two-monthly bills. The keys of the boxes are held by the Board's cashiers who will open them on request, and
(2) payment of accounts is accepted in instalments.
I am satisfied that these arrangements are adequate to meet the needs of the type of consumer the Deputy has in mind and that legislation of the kind proposed by him is not necessary.
I am not satisfied with the Minister's reply. The Minister made some little concession last May when he said that, if there was a multiplicity of complaints, he would consider the complaints. The point is that in practice the E.S.B. cannot hold a tankard to Arthur Guinness in the matter of collecting money.
The Deputy must ask a question.
I want some differential treatment. I am not satisfied with the Minister's answer. It does not get away from the fact that an old age pensioner in Seán Treacy House got a bill for electricity this week and that bill showed 9d. for electricity and 13/- meter rent.
The Deputy is making a speech.
I have the bill here with me and I can show it.