Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2012
90 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding backup generators during a power outage in respect of persons suffering from ill health (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28808/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) a statutorily independent body and I do not have a function.
However, I understand from the CER that ESB Networks Customer Charter provides for the requirements of customers with special medical needs (e.g. customers relying on electrically powered life support equipment), and vulnerable customers. On occasion, ESB Networks has to interrupt supply to a customer on a planned basis, mainly where they are upgrading the networks to provide a more efficient service or where connecting a new customer requires an outage to allow them to work safely.
ESB Networks always give at least two days advance notice to customers where a planned interruption of supply is required. This notice is sent by post to all of the addresses affected by the outage. In order to ensure that they meet this target they generally send out the postal notifications two weeks before the outage date, so in practice, the majority of customers receive approximately one week's advance notification of the upcoming outage.
ESB Networks endeavours to do everything possible to reduce the disruption caused by these outages to their customers. Measures such as cancelling or postponing an outage to another date to accommodate a customer's requirements and allow alternative arrangements to be put in place are regularly taken. Staff do this by working locally with the individual, their carers or their family. In a small number of critical cases a back-up generator may be provided but it is not current policy that a back-up generator be provided in all instances where a vulnerable customer is affected by a planned outage.
Unfortunately, electricity supply interruptions are a fact of life and severe weather events are a recognised threat to electricity supplies all over the world. This type of unplanned fault on the network presents the greatest risk to vulnerable customers and where ESB Networks is aware of the special needs of any customer affected it will restore supply on a priority basis.
It is very important that any customers with special medical needs, who rely on electrically powered equipment, have their details recorded on the Special Services Register (which is maintained by all Electricity Suppliers). These customers should make contact with their Supplier to check if they are already registered correctly or, if not, to get details about the registration process.
