Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2022
104. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total cost to the Exchequer of the €200 electricity credit; the number of beneficiaries who received the payment; the number of beneficiaries who received two, three or more payments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35025/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons with a second meter for storage heating in the same residence received two €200 electricity credit payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35026/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any beneficiaries received an additional €200 electricity credit with respect to a holiday home; if so, the number of beneficiaries who received a further payment in respect of one, two or more holiday homes, in tabular form; the number of payments that were made in regard to holiday homes in cases in which the beneficiary lived in Northern Ireland or elsewhere abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35027/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos. 104 to 106, inclusive, 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.
The scheme is operated by ESB Networks and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The Scheme uses a single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN) with the credit being applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts held with suppliers on 29 March.
The payment is being applied to domestic electricity accounts i.e. those 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), as set out in section 1 of the Act. The DG associated with a residence makes no distinction in terms of the use.
As of 27 May 2022, 2,129,832 domestic electricity customers had been credited, with 1,845,142 of these customers having been notified via a line item on their bill or prepayment vend receipt meaning that 99% of all eligible customers had the credit applied to their account at that point. Based on an estimated 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts, the estimated cost of the scheme is €379,347,208.02.
