asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider reviewing the free electricity scheme so that recipients who do not use the total summer unit allocation will be credited with the unused units during the winter months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Electricity Scheme.
10.
The answer is in the negative.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that quite a number of old people in receipt of free electricity are now receiving accounts for payment?
I am not so aware.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to consider this aspect of change? Is he prepared to review the whole structure of free electricity in the interest of such people?
The evidence available to me indicates that the allocation of units of electricity is not being fully taken up by a large number of recipients.
They are afraid of using too much electricity.
I am aware that the ESB recently issued a document advising those in receipt of this allowance that they can use more units. On the evidence available it would appear that the allocation, as it now stands, is adequate to meet the needs of these people.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is little or no extra cost involved in implementing my suggestion?
I am not so aware. The information available to me is that there would be substantial cost involved in implementing it and also that it would present major administrative difficulties in the ESB. Neither of these factors would be overruling ones but the evidence available to me is that the number of units now available is adequate to meet the needs of those in receipt.
I understand from the officials at the ESB depots that this would mean more efficiency in working, if the Parliamentary Secretary agreed to it. I understand that there would be less complications involved in running this service if the Parliamentary Secretary adopted my suggestion.
That is in conflict with the information supplied to me by the ESB. There does not appear to be any evidence that the allocation is not sufficient to meet the needs of the people.
The winter allocation?
Taking winter and summer.