asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that increased prices for electricity are causing anxiety to many consumers of ESB current; and that as a result many people are turning to oil fired systems thereby further aggravating the present unsatisfactory balance of payments position; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Electricity Prices.
224.
I am not aware that the Electricity Supply Board's charges for electricity are causing anxiety to many of their consumers. In fact, the rate at which demand for electricity is increasing in Ireland is one of the highest in Europe.
I may mention that native resources provide about 50 per cent of our electricity and that oil must be imported to provide the balance.
Would the Minister not agree with me that it is a sad state of affairs when we have a situation in which private consumers of electricity have turned to oil fired systems because they claim it is more economical than ESB current? Is there not something wrong when we import oil from thousands of miles away and use it when we should be using our own ESB current, if it was able to compete?
Could the Minister say what is the difference in price? It is 50 per cent dearer for electrical central heating.
One point at a time. As far as the ESB system is concerned the oil requirement is 45 per cent, peat 36 per cent, hydro-water 16 per cent and native coal 1.3 per cent so oil is in the minority in regard to the actual fuelling aspect. There is very little more we can do about that. It is a question of maintaining a balance, what is economic and what is social.
Could the Minister tell me the difference in the price and running costs of oil fired central heating against electricity?
Oil is cheaper. That is obvious.
In England it is reasonably competitive but here it is not.
Do you want us to go over to oil completely?
I am asking you to do it the other way. If we get it all on electricity all the better.
The Deputy had better discuss this with Deputy O'Hara.
There was no suggestion of going over to oil altogether.
I am calling Question No. 225.
I am interested in turf. The turf development is of help to the workers in my area and the money is ploughed back to the workers again. Does the Minister not agree with me?
Yes.
Is it not true to say that quite a large number of our schools all over the country are turning to oil fired central heating?
At the moment we are having an overall investigation in regard to the whole question of fuel in all State installations, Departmental and semi-State, with a view to evolving a policy which will ensure that native fuel, be it turf, anthracite or any other form of native fuel, will have a definite place in boilers or any other type of heating installation.
Bring down the price of electricity.
In County Offaly there is quite an amount of anxiety among bog workers about this particular aspect of the matter.
I am very much with the points of view expressed by Deputy O'Hara, Deputy Enright and Deputy Flanagan and at variance with the point of view expressed by Deputy Belton.
I asked which was cheaper?
You can count me as being in favour of turf all the time.
225.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has as yet reached any decision on the application by the ESB for an increase in the price of electricity.
The ESB are required by statute so to fix their charges that, taking one year with another, revenue balances outgoings. The board's most recent annual report, published in July, 1969, warned that their charges for electricity were insufficient and that they were making application for an increase. Increases to take effect from 1st January, 1970, have now been approved by the Government and details will be announced very shortly by the board.