Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
20. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which additional needs payments will be used to ensure that those with pay-as-you-go electricity meters do not face disconnection this winter. [49679/22]
View answerAt the outset I wish to be clear that pay-as-you go customers will benefit from the energy credits of €600 to be provided by the State. These credits will be added to their pay-as-you-go account in the same manner that the energy credit from Spring of this year was provided.
I also understand that a protocol is in place, via MABS, whereby vulnerable pay-as you go customers will not be disconnected by their supplier if they cannot top-up their pay-as-you-go card.
In addition, Minister Ryan, whose Department has overarching responsibility for the regulation of energy utilities, is meeting with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities and with all energy suppliers over the coming weeks on a range of issues, including the importance of customer protection and supports. The vulnerability of pay-as-you-go customers will be discussed at these meetings and Minister Ryan will be looking for assurances and practical ways in which they can be protected.As part of Budget 2023, I secured €2.1billion, the largest Social Protection package in the history of the state. Some €1.1billion of this package has been targeted to provide a wide range of lump-sum payments in order to help people in the coming months, in addition to a wide range of increases which will come into effect from January 2023. The Budget measures include:
- The Autumn Cost-of-Living Double Week Payment to most Social protection schemes which will be paid during the week commencing 17th of October 2022;
- The Double Payment of Child Benefit to support families with children will be paid alongside the regular Child Benefit Payment in November 2022;
- A €400 Lump Sum Fuel Allowance Payment to all households receiving the Fuel Allowance;
- A €200 Lump Sum Payment for pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance;
- A €500 Lump Sum Payment to families in receipt of the Working Family Payment;
- A €500 Lump Sum Payment to those on Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension;
- A €500 Lump Sum Payment to those in receipt of the Carer's Support Grant.
In addition, a 100% Christmas Bonus will be paid to all long-term social welfare recipients in December 2022.
Analysis from the ESRI indicates that the combination of these payments and the energy credits insulates low-income households from the effects of inflation, including energy price increases.Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional guidance was issued in June to the Community Welfare Service staff of my Department on the administration of additional needs payments recommending that a flexible approach be taken to meet the income needs of vulnerable individuals and families who find themselves in difficulty meeting the higher costs of fuel and energy.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
