Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to examine the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Bill 2024. The climate action committee waived pre-legislative scrutiny of it, as it has done for other Bills, to ensure the credits land on time for householders and that the work behind the scenes can be done for householders to benefit.

The €250 energy credit will be spread over two payments. The first, €125, will be credited from 1 November, while the second will be from 1 January 2025. This will be at a cost of €500 million for 2024.

I have spoken before about these credits. The feedback on them has been exceptionally positive. Although energy prices were higher last year than they were this year, the credits will still be very much welcomed by householders this year to cover the cost of energy. These costs are still too high, and we acknowledge that. Critically, while we have seen a reduction in energy prices, many people have not had the opportunity to change supplier or indeed benefit from reductions. This is particularly the case for people who are not online. Will the Minister of State ask the commission to engage with these people to ensure they have all the information they need to switch supplier?

It was disappointing to hear some of the voices in this Chamber saying the payments were not necessary. The payments have been essential for many to this day. Given that the cost of energy is still high, these payments are still very much welcome and needed. Those who have spoken against the energy credits today or poured cold water on the idea that they are now required will soon realise, when they return to knocking on people’s doors, how welcome they actually are and how they give people a little relief at a time of high costs.

I welcome this important Bill and hope it is passed as soon as possible to give those we spoke about the support they need over the coming months, especially the heavy winter months.

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