Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2007
453 Mr. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the practice of charging more to persons who do not use direct debit is in conflict with codes of acceptable consumer practice; and if he has communicated with a company (details supplied) who have introduced such a charge. [5198/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume that the Deputy's question is intended to refer to the proposal of the company concerned to impose an additional charge on customers who pay their bills by means other than direct debit. I would have to advise the Deputy that this practice would not be in breach of consumer law. I do, however, share the concerns expressed in a number of quarters that the introduction of this charge could impact disproportionately on certain groups of vulnerable consumers.
In this regard I am aware that the Director of Consumer Affairs whose Office has received a considerable number of complaints in relation to this practice has had a number of discussions with the company referred to in the Deputy's question. I understand that arising from these discussions the company concerned will review the imposition of the charge on customers who are pensioners or who have special needs and that it will communicate its intentions in this regard before the introduction of the charge on 1st April 2007. I am also advised by the Director that the charge which the company concerned introduced in respect of customers who pay their bills late will only be applied following a written reminder to the customer and notification of the application of the charge should the customer's bill not be cleared within a specified timeframe. The Director has advised me that her Office will continue to monitor the manner in which these charges are imposed on customers, particularly those who are vulnerable customers.
