Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ESB is seeking a payment on deposit of €300 towards an ESB connection for new tenants in the new rental accommodation scheme of allocating tenancies by local authorities and that this matter is a cause of major concern for applicants in that they are unable to meet such requests thus finding themselves in a position of having to consider their position in the scheme; if he has had meetings with the ESB in relation to this problem; the result of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5915/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that all new ESB customers, and not just those accommodated through the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), are required to sign up for a Direct Debit to pay their bills, or else to pay a deposit of €300. The levying of such charges is a matter for the ESB and I have no function in that regard.

Nevertheless it should be noted that in transferring tenants to RAS, the general policy of local authorities is to advise tenants to sign up for Direct Debit. In cases where tenants are unable to do so, they can seek support from the HSE Community Welfare Service. I am advised that the issue of the €300 deposit has not impinged on the volume of cases transferring to RAS.