Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider an issue that an electrical consumer (details supplied) is having; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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) is being 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.

Using the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) as the unique identifier, the payment it is applied automatically to domestic electricity accounts. It is credited on the basis of the supplier a customer is with on a certain date. Therefore, in respect of the first payment, it was the supplier with which an account was held on 27 October 2022, 20 December 2022, in respect of the second payment, and 27 February 2023, in respect of the third payment.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is charged with oversight of the scheme. Therefore, queries regarding the appropriate supplier should be directed to the CRU on customercare@CRU.ie or 1800 404 404. Furthermore, the CRU has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members to contact them directly: oireachtas@cru.ie.