Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012
135. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on any progress made and the nature of negotiations that she has had with energy and other suppliers with a view to receiving greater value under the household benefits package without cutting the scheme. [49855/12]
View answerThe household benefits package includes a free electricity or gas allowance, a telephone allowance and a free television licence. There are some 400,000 customers in receipt of the household benefits package. Between 2005 and 2011 the number in receipt of the electricity allowance rose by 20%. The cost of the package was almost €370 million in 2011. My Department has engaged in discussions with utility companies and achieved some discounts for the Department in respect of both electricity and telephone payments. However, it is important to note that my Department, in facilitating payment of electricity and telephone bills for certain categories of social welfare recipients, is not procuring the service directly. As my Department’s household benefit package only covers a proportion of utility bills, recipients must remain free to choose their own supplier and in this way obtain better value for money. The 400,000 recipients remain individual customers of their respective utility companies, responsible in law for the payment of their bills. This limits the ability of my Department to obtain greater savings.
I appreciate the important role that these schemes play in promoting social inclusion and preventing isolation of older people and people with disabilities. All of the schemes operated by my Department, including the household benefits package were examined in the context of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and continue to be kept under review given the on-going need for savings and to target expenditure at those most in need.
