Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making of a once-off electricity costs emergency benefit payment to each domestic electricity account in 2022 having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22, excluding VAT, which suppliers began applying in April, will be applied to remaining domestic electricity accounts through May and June and includes prepay meters.

The scheme is one important part of the measures the Government has had to introduce since the last budget to help people through this difficult high-price period. The scheme is operated by ESB Networks and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. To deliver such a widely applicable scheme in a tight timeframe, a single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number with the credit being applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts held with suppliers on 29 March was a necessary way of delivering it.

The majority of residential tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts and, therefore, will receive the credit directly. In other cases, there may be tenancy agreements in place where tenants pay their share of each bill. In such cases, they will benefit from the payment because the bill will be reduced by the amount of the credit.

As I understand it, as the Deputy mentioned, a small proportion may have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. In cases where tenants in rental accommodation have disputes relating to tenancies, including any terms relating to electricity payments, these may be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, for dispute resolution. That was the design from the start. In any such circumstances, tenants have a mechanism to seek a direction from the RTB and I encourage any such residents to do so. My understanding is that the vast majority of households, some 98%, have received the credit or it is due in their bill. If credit is left out, residents should contact the RTB where they will hopefully get satisfaction and receive the credit.

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