Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with the Commission for Energy Regulation regarding the provision of pay as you use electric meters in houses of customers that have difficulty paying utility bills; and if he is satisfied that there is a sufficient supply of such meters to meet demand. [37220/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The regulation of the electricity and gas market is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation which is an independent statutory body. My Department and I are, nonetheless, in contact with the regulator from time to time regarding the functioning of the domestic electricity market. In this context, addressing the issues faced by customers experiencing genuine financial hardship is of paramount importance to me.

In line with the regulator's code of practice on disconnection, electricity and gas suppliers must facilitate payment options for domestic customers experiencing genuine financial hardship and, where appropriate, engage with a money adviser acting on behalf of the customer, such as MABS or a recognised charity. This must include offering the customer a prepayment meter or budget controller if this is possible.

The regulator has been working with electricity suppliers on the provision of prepayment meters. In this regard, the regulator has developed a more modern prepayment keypad meter solution with the industry, which will be available to customers of all suppliers in financial hardship. They are similar to the keypad meters offered in Northern Ireland.

ESB Networks commenced the installation of these meters last month and the roll-out is progressing well. Prepayment electricity meters have been available since 24 October 2011 to customers in financial hardship. The regulator is working to ensure meters are distributed in an equitable manner between suppliers and are being rolled out as efficiently as possible. ESB Networks has both the systems in place and sufficient stocks of prepayment meters to install an estimated 2,000 monthly, a figure that comfortably outstrips current and projected demand. The company also has a further supply of meters on order.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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One of the utility companies indicated to me that there is a shortage of prepay meters. Is the Minister confirming there is no shortage of this type of meter and that anyone who needs one will receive it promptly?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Yes. As I indicated, the position is that the availability of prepay meters "comfortably outstrips current and projected demand". I hope that will remain the case.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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That is not what I have been told but I will take the Minister's word on the matter.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In accordance with the new protocol I announced a couple of months ago, where a customer in genuine financial hardship has entered into a prepayment plan or installed a prepay meter, his or her service will not be disconnected. The important dimension is that disconnections will not take place in cases where people exercise their right to request a prepay meter or be party to a payment plan.