Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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96. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether churches should be able to avail of relief for their electricity bills given the current energy crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1229/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties households, businesses and community organisations are facing with respect to the current global energy crisis and the resultant high electricity prices. 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 to mitigate the impact including:

- 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.

- an extension of the 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas until February 2023.

- a €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

- Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), which will provide up to €10,000 per business per month until spring 2023 – to help meet rising energy costs. The scheme will support eligible companies, covering 40% of the increase in their energy bills. 

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.  This includes:

- The Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) which provides small grants to community groups, development associations, and volunteer-led organisations.

- The Community Support Fund will also help community groups and facilities deal with increases in energy prices and other costs including Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, ICA Groups, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and more.