Written answers
Thursday, 13 October 2022
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Energy Policy
Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the provisions that are in place for residents who are using a coin meter for electricity to claim the energy credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50781/22]
Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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180. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to instances in relation to the electricity cost emergency benefit scheme where a unique MPRN meter is split into multiple meters across two or more units and the energy credit is then split between each unit, resulting in a lower payment per person and affecting often more vulnerable energy users in these circumstances; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50859/22]
Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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181. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to instances in relation to the electricity cost emergency benefit scheme where a landlord may have a single business meter for a property split between units as opposed to residential meters, resulting in no energy credit being passed onto the residents; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50860/22]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178, 180 and 181 together.
| I propose to take Question N.o.’s 178, 180 and 181 together.Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package 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, including those with Pay As You Go meters, 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). 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. This mechanism allowed payments to be made automatically to 2,138,939 domestic electricity accounts, over 99.36% of eligible accounts, under the first scheme which operated between April and June of this year. While the majority of residential tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, and therefore receive the credit directly, others could have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion could have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. Where tenants have a dispute relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments, these can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution. As there is not data set identifying this cohort, increasing awareness of entitlements of existing social protection measures, which include provision for help with household bills, is an important way of supporting people in this situation. 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. Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also introduced measures including: - €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients - €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase - €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment - double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children - €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant will be paid in November - €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability payment Furthermore, CRU has a dedicated email address for members of the public to contact them on matters such as this Customer Care Team - Commission for Regulation of Utilities (cru.ie) The CRU also has a dedicated email address for deputies to contact them oireachtas@cru.ie for timely replies. |
Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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179. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a community group (details supplied) qualifies for an energy credit, or for any energy supports to help with the increased cost of energy bills. [50808/22]
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 is 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 group identified by the Deputy, 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.
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