Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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699. To ask the Minister for Health if plans and supports are in place to assist vulnerable persons living at home who are reliant on essential medical equipment in the event that there are electricity power outages; if not, the steps that he will take to put in place a plan and supports to assist persons in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57951/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to providing accessible and affordable health care.

The Department of Social Protection administer the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme and the Fuel Allowance, which may assist individuals in meeting the costs associated with operating medical devices. Further information on these can be found, respectively, at:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5554-supplementary-welfare-allowance/

www.gov.ie/en/service/00aa38-fuel-allowance/

In addition, energy suppliers are required to establish, maintain and regularly update a register of vulnerable customers. Vulnerable customers include:

- Those who are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment. This includes (but is not limited to) life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, or

- Those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.

There are a range of additional protection measures in place for registered vulnerable customers. This includes measures around communication, disconnection and other important areas. Energy suppliers are required to provide customers with a free and easy way to register as a vulnerable customer. Further information regarding this can be found at:

www.cru.ie/need-assistance/vulnerable-customers/

Finally, as announced in Budget 2023, every household in Ireland will receive three €200 energy credits, totalling €600, towards the costs of their electricity over the coming months.