Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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26. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if churches and parishes halls will be able to avail of supports for the payment of their heating and energy costs under measures recently announced by Government, aimed at assisting those who may find themselves confronted with unsustainable energy bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50661/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion and will be provided to my Department through a Supplementary Estimate.The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts 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). This includes accounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application/approval process.

On 22 September I announced the extension of Government supports of up to €2,400 for the installation of solar PV panels for non-domestic buildings – aimed specifically at businesses, public organisations and community groups. The new grants are the next phase in the Government’s Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) and are administered through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme provides grant funding of up to €2,400 towards the installation of solar PV technology up to a maximum of 6kWp, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels. This provides an opportunity for all areas of the non-domestic sector to not only reduce their electricity bills, but to visibly demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and Ireland’s broader climate action goals.At the current high electricity prices, businesses, including the community groups, have the potential to save €2,000-3,000 per annum from a solar PV system supported under this scheme. Moreover, with the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises is now eligible for an export payment which further supports the investment. This means that the installation can pay for itself quickly – thus helping to protect businesses and organisations across the country against rising energy prices into the future. Solar PV is also one of a range of measures funded under the SEAI Communities Energy Grant Scheme which makes grant funding available to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock and is open to domestic and non-domestic applications. To apply for a grant, non-domestic applicants should visit www.seai.ie and follow the outlined steps.

In addition, as part of its suite of once-off measures, Budget 2023 allocates €340 million for support for communities including sports bodies and community organisations.