Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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145. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to assist families meeting high energy bills between 1 June and 31 December 2023, inclusive. [21341/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increases in global energy prices continue to have on households and has prioritised action across Government to support people to stay warm and well. 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.

Budget 2023 included an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) was credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). These payments were made to accounts in the November/December 2022, January/February and March/April 2023 billing cycles. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion, bringing the total amount paid to consumers to help with energy costs to €1.5 billion.

On the 21st of February, Government announced a further €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients from April to July and an extension to the reduced VAT rate on electricity and gas bills until October.

Government is closely monitoring the impact of these supports through the implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan and possible future measures are under consideration in the context of Budget 2024.

In addition, my Department commissioned a nationally representative fortnightly research tracker, which indicates that Irish families are making every effort to reduce their energy use and there is a reduction in the difficulty being experienced in meeting energy costs. Nevertheless, there are still groups who are facing real financial pressure, including their energy bills. Government of Ireland public information messaging on available supports and available advice is being specifically tailored to these segments.