Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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231. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if persons with multiple homes, including non-principal private residences, holiday homes, property types (details supplied) and so on will be eligible for the €100 energy voucher for each of those homes; if the voucher is confined to the principal private residence; if this has been factored into the budget for the provision of €100 to all domestic accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4442/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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A €215m Scheme has been approved by Government to credit all domestic electricity account holders with up to €100 in 2022.Approximately 2.1 million domestic electricity accounts will benefit from the scheme for a one-off, exceptional payment. The scheme will apply to every domestic electricity account. The scheme uses the eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number, to enable payments to be made at the earliest possible opportunity in 2022.

The scheme will become operational following the passing of underpinning legislation, the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill, through the Oireachtas. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will be charged with oversight of the scheme. The scheme will be operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) because of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers. ESB Networks will make payments to energy suppliers, who in turn will credit all their domestic electricity account holders with €100.

Full details on the precise mechanism for payment are being finalised as part of these processes and will be announced later in Q1. The Deputy may also wish to note that regular information updates, including frequently asked questions, are being made available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.