Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which the ESB and Bord Gáis contribute directly or indirectly to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43687/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The annual dividends payable by State companies are the only contribution (other than general taxation receipts), which the Exchequer receives directly from ESB and BGÉ. The dividends payable by the State companies are a function of the after-tax profits of each company.

The amount of dividends paid in respects of the previous year's profits by ESB and BGÉ for each of the past three years is:

The ESB Board has also agreed a special interim dividend of €176m in 2009 in order to mitigate energy costs for large energy users.