Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2022
153. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way and when the monetary credits to assist with household energy bills over the winter will be made payable to occupants of houseboats on the Grand and Royal canals, who purchase credits from Waterways Ireland for a meter system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023, and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion. The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts 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 includesaccounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN)to ensure that payment can be made to those accounts automatically and without application or means testing. Despite this advantage, the scheme does have limitations. As a result there are cohorts that did not receive the payment, which includes people with accommodation arrangements such as houseboats or mobile homes. Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also introduced measures including: - €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients - €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase - €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment - Double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children - €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant will be paid in November - €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability payment Government continues to monitor the situation in light of the ongoing volatility and uncertainty in energy markets.
