asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is considering the abolition of the special service charge for the supply of electricity in rural Ireland; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - ESB Special Service Charge.
10.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if a further reduction will be made in the ESB ground rent to facilitate small farmers because of the increased cost of connection.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
At present the Government contributes, by way of subsidy, 75 per cent of the cost of connecting each rural consumer, subject to a maximum of £75 in each case. Despite this subsidy and the heavy losses which the ESB suffer on rural electrification I realise that special service charges, in certain cases, are extremely high.
As I have already told the House, the whole question of these charges is under review at present to see whether any relief is possible. The review is nearing completion and, while I cannot say what the outcome of the review will be, I hope to make a statement on the matter in the near future.
12.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that a family in Durrow, Ballinahown, County Galway were recently quoted a two-monthly special service charge of £17 15s 11d by the ESB; and, if so, if he will explain how such a charge is calculated in this case.
Special service charges are based on the cost of making supply available and are calculated in accordance with fixed rules, the explanation of which is rather lengthy. It is set out in Vol. 215 No. 10, Cols. 1355-1358 of Dáil Debates of 13th May, 1965.
I am informed by the ESB that the house in Durrow referred to by the Deputy is in an isolated location and heavy expenditure would be involved in making supply available. In addition to providing a transformer, meter and service it would be necessary to construct, across very difficult country, about a mile of high tension line which alone is estimated to cost over £1,000.