Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2021
148. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are grants available for the purchase of a generator (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61855/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile it is a rare event, some electricity consumers can be without power from time to time. This can occur due to weather related events, such as the recent Storm Barra, network faults and network maintenance.
It is also possible that some consumers could be without electricity due to insufficient generation to meet demand. However, it should be noted that there have been no instances of this in recent times and procedures are in place to ensure that, if such an event were to happen, larger consumers would be requested to reduce their electricity use before homes and small business would be impacted.
While my Department does not offer grants for the purchase of generators, ESB Networks has a policy to support vulnerable customers particularly those who are more vulnerable to loss of electricity supply. Electricity customers can register as vulnerable customers via their electricity supplier and further details are available on the ESB Networks website at the following link: www.esbnetworks.ie/docs/default-source/publications/vulnerable-customer-policy.pdf
