asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that the ESB have imposed the higher rural electrification charge on domestic consumers within the area of scheduled towns and of certain scheduled towns in particular (details supplied); and if this practice will be discontinued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rural Electrification Charges.
30.
I am informed by the ESB that they are not aware of any consumers residing within the actual towns referred to by the Deputy or other towns of similar size who are paying the rural rates of charge.
From time to time as certain towns expand to include consumers on their outskirts who were supplied with electricity as part of the rural electrification scheme, the tariff applicable to the latter may be changed from the rural rates to the rates obtaining in the towns. This is a matter of periodic review and it is expected that such instances will arise increasingly in the future particularly in the Dublin area.
If the Deputy has any specific consumers in mind, I will have their position examined by the board on receipt of details.
Would the Minister ask the board to check on the towns I mentioned in the question and they will be aware of what has happened there and can put it in order?
I will certainly do that and I will write to the Deputy.
Thank you.