Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
49. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that a person (details supplied) did not receive the €200 electricity allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42058/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) has been applied to all domestic electricity accounts through April, May and June, and includes prepay meters. The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
This has been an exceptional measure which used the single eligibility criterion of an electricity meter point registration number (MPRN), to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account as early as possible this year, without any additional means testing. The payment has been applied to domestic electricity accounts i.e. those which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2), as set out in section 1 of the Act.
Each supplier was allocated a credit for each MPRN to which they were supplying electricity on 29 March 2022. As such, customers should contact their supplier on this date in the first instance. Frequently Asked Questions are available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.
