Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a full update on his previous commitment in providing a mechanism for full time residents in mobile homes to access the much needed electricity credits, which to date has not been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/24]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024 the Government approved a new tranche of Electricity Credits which over 2.2 million households will benefit from -- worth €450 in total per household.
Three payments of €150 (including VAT) are being made between December 2023 and April 2024.
The payments are being applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, 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 follows the implementation of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes I and II, which saw €800 applied to domestic electricity accounts between March 2022 and April 2023.
The electricity credits are being applied to eligible domestic electricity accounts automatically and without the need for application using the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN). However, there are certain cohorts that will not receive this support, including some full time occupants of mobile homes. Unfortunately, as these households do not have an individual MPRN and share a commercial electricity connection rather than a domestic connection, they are ineligible for the electricity credit.
However, other supports have been made available for those struggling to pay their bills. Budget 2023 and 2024 introduced a range of once-off social protection measures, including additional lump sum payments for recipients of Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Increase, the Working Family payment, and the Carer's Support grant, as well as further support to those in receipt of long-term disability payments.
Any individual that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, who have a need for financial assistance. Every effort will be made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses.
