Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
164. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm that no household will have their electricity turned off by their energy provider this winter (details supplied). [48406/22]
View answerGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the increases in global energy prices is having on households and that is why mitigating measures were introduced throughout 2022 amount to €2.4 billion and as part of Budget 2023 where €2.5 billion has been allocated for once off cost of living supports. My Department is working across the energy supply system, and with NGOs, to ensure that households and businesses are protected this winter.
The measures include:
- the initial and now the an enhanced electricity credit of three €200 payments (inclusive of VAT) to Domestic Electricity Accounts to be paid in the November/December, January/February, and March/April billing cycles
- an extension of the 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas until February 2023
- a €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients
- €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase
- €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment
- double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children
- €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant will be paid in November
- €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability payment The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999.As part of its statutory role, the CRU also has consumer protection functions and sets out a number of rules for suppliers to follow in the Electricity and Gas Suppliers Handbooks. These include special provisions for vulnerable customers around areas such as billing and disconnections. Following engagement with customer representative groups, energy suppliers and network operators, the CRU announced enhanced consumer protection measures. These include:
- An extension to moratoriums on disconnections from 1 month to 3 months (1 December to 28 February)
- Extended debt repayment periods
- Reduced debt burden on pay-as-you-go top-ups
- Better value for those on financial hardship meters
- Promotion of a Vulnerable Customer Register A vulnerable customer is defined as a household customer who is critically dependent on electrically powered equipment, which includes, but is not limited to, life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment. This category of vulnerable customers cannot be disconnected for non-payment at any time. Vulnerable customers are also defined as those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during the winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health. The moratorium on disconnections for this group has been extended to 6 months (1 October to 31 March). It is important that people who are in such a situation contact their energy supplier to register with them as a vulnerable customer. Their electricity supplier will then notify ESB Networks. ESBN maintains a Vulnerable Customer Register based on the information provided to them by suppliers. The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply
