asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware that in houses which are subdivided into single rooms and let to old age pensioners and similar persons with low incomes considerable hardship arises on account of the practice of the ESB in charging a full rental for each room in such premises; and if he will discuss with the ESB the possibility of introducing a system of reduced meter rentals in multi-occupied houses of this type.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Rentals in Multi-Occupied Houses.
2.
Under section 93 of the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927 the ESB is precluded from granting preferential treatment to particular persons or classes of persons.
I am informed by the Board that the costs of installing and maintaining supply of electricity to separate consumers under the same roof do not differ from the corresponding costs for separate dwellings. I am also informed that at present prices a one room consumer can obtain sufficient electricity to provide minimum light and radio or television for less than 3d per day.
I am not satisfied that any significant hardship arises out of these charges which would warrant amendment of the relevant legislation. The Government have been able to raise social welfare payments at frequent intervals to the maximum that is considered possible and it is not considered desirable to introduce discriminatory practices of this kind.
Because the social welfare allowances have been increased?
That is the best way of doing it.
Does the Minister not see the injustice of this for a person with one room?
The Deputy will appreciate that if one were to amend the legislation so that the ESB could commence to discriminate for social reasons, there would be a great number of applications and on the whole it is much better to increase social welfare benefits from time to time instead.
It seems to exploit the fact that these people have not houses of their own and have to live in rooms.
I do not think there is any such element.
It may not be intentional but certainly it happens.