Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for further electricity costs credits in coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45749/22]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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118. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider giving schools the option to apply for an energy audit with the SEAI as currently only registered businesses can apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45756/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 118 together.

The unprecedented increase in international wholesale gas prices have continued as result of the volatility in the international gas market driven by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the on-going war. These gas increases feed directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas.Government is acutely aware of the impact on consumers of high electricity and gas prices, and has already put a €2.4 billion package of measures in place to support people to meet the costs. This included the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, under which a payment of €176.22 (excluding VAT) was made to over 2 million domestic electricity accounts, including prepay meters, between April and May of this year at a total cost of just under €377 million. The Scheme was part of a package of measures, which included further increases in the Fuel Allowance, seeing it increase from €735 in winter 2020/21 to €1139 and a reduction in VAT on electricity bills from 13.5% to 9%.

Government continues to monitor this unprecedented and evolving situation closely to inform ongoing consideration of further measures, including their practical implementation and operation, particularly in the context of the imminent Budget 2023.