Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The committee has only recently been created. This Bill is a universal payment measure. It is one of three universal measures to target the price of electricity and gas this winter. This is a universal payment to everybody with a meter point reference number, MPRN, who is a domestic customer.

In addition, there are two other universal payments. There is a reduction in VAT from 13.5% to 9%, and a public service obligation, PSO, levy change whereby money will be paid to people through the PSO levy rather than it being deducted, which will give a net €140 per customer. Eight target measures have been announced by the Government, which I can run through for the Deputy. There is a lump sum payment of €400 for fuel allowance, a €200 lump sum payment for the living alone allowance, a €500 working family payment, double child benefit, a €500 lump sum payment for carer's support grant, a €500 disability payment lump sum and double payments for autumn and Christmas for those on long-term social welfare payments. It is, therefore, one of 11 different payments. This Bill is a universal measure that covers a universal payment for everybody who has a meter. It is not a targeted Bill.

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