The Government has approved the publication of legislation to establish the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme under which a payment of €100 will be credited to around 2.1 million domestic electricity accounts up to a maximum of €215 million. The scheme is due to become operational by the end of quarter one.
With the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, my Department is working closely with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to ensure that those due the payment in rented accommodation receive the benefit of this payment. I understand, there are c.300,000 tenancies registered with the RTB and that the majority of these tenants would either hold their own electricity account, or would pay their landlord for their electricity based on an actual bill, and would therefore receive the benefit directly. My Department is working with the RTB on a public information campaign to ensure that any tenants, expected to be a small minority, for whom electricity costs are not separate from overall rental cost are aware of the scheme and entitlements. In that context, in the event that a dispute should arise, between a tenant and landlord, there are existing dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the RTB.
