asked the Minister for Social Welfare the exact position regarding the free electricity allowance entitlement for elderly people living alone in private rented accommodation, where the meter might be commonly shared with other tenants in the flat; if and when any concession is made in circumstances such as this; if not, if it is proposed to introduce some measure of compensation for such tenants in view of the enormous costs involved in the provision of separate meters and the reluctance of many landlords to carry out this improvement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free Electricity Allowance.
7.
Under the free electricity allowance scheme a person must be registered with the Electricity Supply Board as a consumer of electricity on the general domestic two-part tariff in order to qualify for an allowance. Persons in the situation described by the Deputy are not so registered and are, therefore, not entitled to the allowance under the scheme as it stands. The situation of persons in this category is a difficult one to deal with and a solution to their problem is not easy. I am having the position examined.
I might mention that persons who do not qualify for free electricity because they are on group accounts may possibly qualify for aid towards the cost of electricity consumed by them under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme administered by the health boards.
The Minister is aware then of the situation in which an elderly person living in private rented accommodation with a meter which is grouped with a number of people is at a relative disadvantage financially compared with people in a similar category otherwise. Would the Minister admit there is a financial disadvantage?
Certainly.
Would the Minister be good enough to let me know if he will do everything possible to remedy the situation?
I will, and I shall keep the Deputy informed.
Thank you very much.