Written answers

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Code

11:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will implement a similar arrangement with Bord Gáis as her Department has with the ESB to allow social welfare recipients to avail of free units in the same manner as they do with the ESB; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7870/09]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the household benefits package, the electricity allowance covers standing charges and 2,400 units of electricity each year, which equates to €540 per annum. For the majority of customers, the electricity allowance is paid direct to the ESB each month on their behalf and offset against their bills. Payment of the electricity allowance in respect of some 4,000 customers is by cash payment through a nominated post office or financial institution.

Similarly, customers transferring their electricity allowance to Bord Gáis Energy will be paid a monthly cash payment of €45 (€540 per annum) through a nominated post office or financial institution as Bord Gáis Energy's technical system is not capable of processing a unit based electricity allowance at present. Payment of the electricity allowance to Bord Gáis Energy customers by way of cash ensures that these customers will continue to receive their electricity allowance.

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