asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that if a person makes application for electricity and does not accept it because of the special service charge, the person is not eligible for a bottled gas grant; and if he will arrange that such person will in future be eligible for a bottled gas grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification.
13.
Under the existing regulations bottled gas grants are made available to householders who are not connected to the electricity supply and who could obtain such supply only on payment of a special service charge greater than the normal fixed charge.
As I informed the Deputy in reply to his question on 29th October, 1970, I am at present reviewing the conditions for eligibility for the grant.
If the Deputy will furnish the name of the applicant in which he is interested I will have the matter investigated and will let the Deputy know the result in due course.
If a person makes application for electric light and due to the abnormal or very high charge he is asked to pay by the ESB, he does not accept, does he qualify for this gas subsidy?
He does if the special service charge is greater than the normal fixed charge, that is, if it is a high charge. In that event he qualifies.
Is the Minister aware that in a lot of cases the ESB look for a down payment of something like £500 or else a special service charge which, regardless of what the person's income may be, he may not be able to pay?
The heavy down payment only arises in the specific cases which are outside the normal planned programme; not in the case to which the Deputy refers.
The Minister also stated he intends to amend this to some degree.
We are doing that at the moment.
I should like the Minister to bear this type of case in mind.
Indeed I will. We are having a complete review of the scheme with a view to easing the con ditions under which people will qualify for bottled gas.
Will the Minister ensure that people who cannot accept the ESB charges for the installation of electricity will qualify for this gas subsidy?
There will be an easing of the situation.
When?
Very shortly. If the Deputy will furnish me with particulars of the case he is interested in I will have it examined.
I could furnish the Minister with many cases like this.
I shall be very glad to get them all from the Deputy. I appreciate he is a very assiduous representative.