Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2022
133. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if provision for electricity credits will be made for voluntary organisations (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49254/22]
View answer136. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm that the €600 energy credit is to be paid in instalments will be paid to prepay and pay-as-you-go customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49358/22]
View answer137. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons with multiple homes, including non-principal private residence and holiday homes and so on will be eligible for the recently announced €600 energy credit for each of those homes; if he will provide a clear breakdown of all property categories to receive the €600 energy credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49394/22]
View answerGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports. As part of Budget 2023 the Government has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion and will be provided to my Department through a Supplementary Estimate. The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts 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). This includes accounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without application/approval process. This means that it is not possible to omit certain types of residence that fall within these distribution groups. The Minister for the Environment Communications and Climate, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, will transfer monies, provided by the Oireachtas for the purpose of the scheme to ESB Networks,the electricity distribution system operator, upon notification by ESB Networks of the estimated total number of MPRNs.The scheme will be operated by ESB Networks by virtue of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers. ESB Networks will make payments to the individual energy suppliers, who will then credit individual domestic electricity accounts.The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), will be charged with oversight of the scheme. In addition, as part of its suite of once-off measures, Budget 2023 allocates €340 million for support for communities including sports bodies and community organisations.
