Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is considering further support payments to households in order to assist in meeting increased fuel costs. [60322/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increase in global energy prices is having on households. That is why through 2022 Government introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 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, including Pay As You Go accounts, 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. This Scheme uses the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN), to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account are made without means testing. The estimated cost of this measure is €1.211 billion. Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also introduced measures including:

· €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients, bringing the total Fuel Allowance payment over winter 2022/3 to €1324· €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

Under its legal mandate, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for implementing customer protection measures for electricity and gas customers. The CRU has required suppliers to operate strengthened protection measures this winter will provide, which include extended moratoriums on disconnections, extended repayment periods for customers in debt and reduced debt burdens on Pay-as-You-Go customers.

The new Energy Poverty Action Plan, which is currently being finalised, will set out the range of measures being implemented this winter, as well as longer-term measures to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected. The development and implementation of the new Action Plan is being overseen by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.

The impact of this package of income support, social protection and consumer protection measures, now being implemented, will be closely monitored to inform ongoing policy action to support people to meet their energy costs.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to allowing households transfer the €200 electricity credit payment onto their fuel accounts in order to assist in meeting fuel costs. [60323/22]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to allowing the €200 electricity credits to be used towards a person's gas bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60477/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 120 together.

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increase in global energy prices is having on households. That is why throughout 2022 Government introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 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.

This scheme is operated by ESB Networks (the electricity Distribution System Operator) and electricity suppliers and uses the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN). It is this use of the electricity billing infrastructure that ensures payments to each domestic electricity account are made automatically and without any means testing. 

The payment is not being applied to domestic gas accounts on the basis that it is intended to be a universal support to help everyone meet the cost of energy. Not all consumers use gas but electricity is supplied to all households.

Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also included a package of cost of living measures including:

· €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients bringing the Allowance for winter 2022/23 to €1,324· €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