Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
88. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for further electricity costs credits in coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45749/22]
View answer118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department have given any further consideration to support full time residents in mobile homes for future rounds of energy rebates considering that they were unable to access the €200 payment earlier this year; if the Minister will issue a statement of intent to support this vulnerable cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45756/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 118 together.
The unprecedented increase in international wholesale gas prices have continued as result of the volatility in the international gas market driven by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the on-going war. These gas increases feed directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas.Government is acutely aware of the impact on consumers of high electricity and gas prices, and has already put a €2.4 billion package of measures in place to support people to meet the costs. This included the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, under which a payment of €176.22 (excluding VAT) was made to over 2 million domestic electricity accounts, including prepay meters, between April and May of this year at a total cost of just under €377 million. The Scheme was part of a package of measures, which included further increases in the Fuel Allowance, seeing it increase from €735 in winter 2020/21 to €1139 and a reduction in VAT on electricity bills from 13.5% to 9%.Government continues to monitor this unprecedented and evolving situation closely to inform ongoing consideration of further measures, including their practical implementation and operation, particularly in the context of the imminent Budget 2023.
