asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will take steps to have an electricity supply provided by the ESB to the townlands of Dirragh and Gurthbinna in the Nenanirree district, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Supply.
11.
All areas in the country have already had an opportunity of accepting electricity supply under the Rural Electrification Scheme.
As regards the post-development scheme, I am informed by the ESB that the present rural post-development scheme should be completed within about three years and that all applicants in County Cork and elsewhere who have accepted the terms quoted will have received supply by that date. However, because of the big increase in demand for electricity in the last year it is necessary to give priority to ensuring the maintenance of supply to existing consumers. New connections may, therefore, be somewhat delayed.
In the circumstances it will not be possible to commence the re-canvass of the townlands of Dirragh and Gurthbinna for at least another year.
When the Minister states that all people have an opportunity of getting ESB light and power, does he regard the very high special service charges as affording those people equality or opportunity in that regard?
The next question gives the reply to that.
12.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that a number of country council cottages in County Kerry have been wired for electricity but have as yet been unable to get an electricity supply owing to the high special service charges imposed on them by the ESB; and whether he will arrange for the ESB to come to an agreement with the Kerry County Council on an overall total figure to be paid for all such houses.
The ESB require special service charges only in respect of premises which are situated in comparatively isolated locations. These special service charges are necessary to remunerate the Board's capital costs in extending supply and unfortunately there is no way short of an inordinately high subsidy in which they can be reduced. In regard to the suggestion in the second part of the question, I should explain that the Board is precluded by law from giving preferential treatment to any class of consumers. I am informed by the ESB, however, that a county council or any consumer can, by a cash payment amounting to 25 times the annual special service charge, buy out the charge.
When the Minister states that these special service charges are necessary and that there is no way of relieving the people of them, would he not consider that one way would be to recommend to the ESB reducing their very heavy advertising and donating that amount towards a subsidy?
I do not think it would have an effect at all.
I do not see why a monopoly like the ESB has to spend £150,000 a year on advertising.
Is the Minister aware that some of these cottages in Kerry have been wired for years and yet the people cannot get light without paying a special charge which is as high in some cases as £5 19s. 6d. every two months?
It is anticipated that about 89 per cent of the rural dwellings which have not already obtained supply since the post-development scheme started should be able to get supply at the normal fixed rate of charge, or at special charges not exceeding 50 per cent of the normal fixed charge. The Government regard that as very good progress in the Rural Electrification Scheme between 1960 and 1970, when the matter can then be examined again.
One would imagine that a body as large as the ESB would provide power for these cottages and economise in some other way so that consumers' bills would not be as high at £5 19s. 6d. every two months. The ordinary person in a cottage cannot afford to pay that amount.
I have already explained to the Deputy that out of some 112,000 persons to whom the supply was given prior to the 1961 Act, there were only 12,000 people in that category. If we had a system without special service charges, the losses on the rural electricity accounts would go up from £1.2 million to £2 million, and the rural consumer is already being highly subsidised by the urban consumer. The Government consider at the moment that the subsidy given of 75 per cent of the cost of electrification is adequate.
Surely a big concern like the ESB could make economies elsewhere?