Written answers

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Energy Conservation

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost to the Exchequer of a €200 credit for those with an income of up to €50,000 and living in a home with a BER rating of less than B2g; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) has been applied to all domestic electricity accounts through April, May and June, including prepay meters.

The scheme has been operated by ESB Networks and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The Scheme used a single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN) with the credit being applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts held with suppliers on 29 March.

The payment has been applied to domestic electricity accounts i.e. those which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2), as set out in section 1 of the Act. The DG associated with a residence makes no distinction in terms of the use.Eligibility for the scheme was not determined by income levels or BER rating. The scheme was available to all domestic electricity accounts as outlined above.

Based on an estimated 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts, the estimated cost of the scheme is €379,347,208.

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