Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2023
197. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm that single-family homes pay residential gas rates and apartments that utilise district heating pay commercial gas rates; and, if this is the case, why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3340/23]
View answerIn the case of group heating schemes that typically supply single buildings or complexes, it is the heat supplier that purchases the fuel which, in existing schemes, is predominantly gas. In such cases, a commercial tariff is applied by Gas Networks Ireland due to the scale of the purchase, which is made by the service provider.
Under S.I. 350/2022, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has been appointed as Regulator for district heating networks and will be responsible for regulation of the sector going forward. The regulatory needs of the sector, to include group and communal heating schemes, require further, detailed examination, and this is being undertaken by the CRU as a matter of priority.
In order to help alleviate the impact of the rising cost of living on households Government put in place a series of measures in 2022 with funding of €2.4 billion available. A further package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion was announced in Budget 2023, including the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme II which is being applied to domestic electricity accounts as a universal support to all households.
In addition to supports for energy costs such as the Household Benefits Package and the Fuel Allowance, people can apply to the Community Welfare Service (CWS) for assistance with essential costs that they cannot reasonably be expected to meet from their income. Such payments are subject to income tests and an assessment of need.
The Energy Poverty Action Plan also sets out the actions the Government has put in place to tackle energy poverty and help people to pay their energy bills as part of the wider cost of living crisis.
