The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022 provides for the establishment of a scheme to make a once off payment, in 2022, to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices.This is an exceptional and urgent response which uses the single eligibility criterion of having a meter point registration number, to ensure payments are targeted to each domestic electricity account as early as possible in 2022. The payment will be applied to the domestic electricity account rather than an individual. The scheme will also include pre-pay customers. The type of coin operated meters referred to by the Deputy are not installed by ESB Networks (ESBN) and are not regulated by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). I understand that such devices are usually installed behind the electricity meter, and their use for payment of electricity is a contractual matter between residents and their landlords or the operators of mobile home parks. While the majority of tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, and therefore receive the payments directly, others would have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion would have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. With the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, my Department is working closely with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) on a public information campaign to ensure that all tenants are aware of the scheme. Disputes relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution.
