Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 February 2022
53. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons with more than one property will receive multiple payments under the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8567/22]
View answer54. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans that are in place to ensure persons with more than one property will not receive multiple payments under the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8568/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together.
A scheme has been approved by Government to credit all domestic electricity accounts with a payment of a value of €200 (inclusive of VAT) in 2022. Approximately 2.1 million domestic electricity accounts will benefit from the scheme for a one-off, exceptional payment. The scheme will apply to every domestic electricity account. In order to utilise the existing electricity billing infrastructure to enable payments to be made at the earliest possible opportunity in 2022, the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number will be used for this scheme, This criterion does not indicate the type of occupancy at each premises. The scheme will become operational following the passing of underpinning legislation, the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill, through the Oireachtas. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will be charged with oversight of the scheme. The scheme will be operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) because of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers. ESB Networks will make payments to energy suppliers, who in turn will credit all their domestic electricity account holders with a payment to the value of €200 (inclusive of VAT). The Deputy may also wish to note that regular information updates, including frequently asked questions, are being made available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.
