Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if all social protection recipients who qualify for free Electricity Supply Board units are being paid at the appropriate rate per day (details supplied); the action she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39275/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are currently almost 414,000 customers in receipt of the electricity/gas allowance as part of the household benefits package. In 2014, my Department spent in excess of €176 million on the electricity/gas allowance.

This report seems to have arisen where a customer misread the amount of their allowance on their energy bill, then contacted the media and a number of outlets ran with the story without making any effort to clarify the information either through my Department or the energy suppliers.

The daily rate of the electricity/gas allowance for all customers in receipt of the allowance is €1.15 per day on average or €35 per month. I want to reassure the Deputy that, where customers have opted to get this allowance as a credit on their energy bills, they are receiving the correct amount of their allowance. This information is clearly displayed on the reverse of all Electric Ireland customer bills.