Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:95. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total cost of the €200 electricity rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 June 2022
Ceisteanna (95, 96)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:96. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that received the €200 electricity rebate. [32290/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together. I propose to take Question Nos 95 and 96 together.
The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) is being applied to all domestic electricity accounts through April, May and June, and includes prepay meters.
As of 27 May 2022, 2,129,832 domestic electricity customers have been credited, with 1,845,142 of these customers having been notified via a line item on their bill or prepayment vend receipt. This means 99% of all eligible customers have now had the credit applied to their account.
Per section 4(1)(b) of the Act, ESB Networks submitted an estimate to the Minister as to the number of domestic electricity accounts for the purposes of the scheme.
As per section 2(3)(c) of the Act, the Minister estimated the amount to be allocated under paragraph 2(3)(a) of the Act, based on an estimated 2.25 domestic electricity accounts. Per section 2(3)(b) this amount was not to exceed €400 million.
Based on an estimated 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts, the estimated cost of the scheme was €379,347,208.02. This was transferred to ESB Networks, in accordance with section 3(1) of the Act. Per section 4(1)(f) ESB Networks transferred monies to each electricity supplier to be used by the suppliers in accordance with section 5(1)(b) of the Act. Per section 5(1)(d) of the Act, suppliers are to repay to the distribution system operator any monies received by it in accordance with paragraph 5(1)(a) that have not been used for the purpose of making electricity costs emergency benefit payments and keep records of any such repayments.
Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 95.