Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his efforts to address the ongoing high cost of energy in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41378/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Throughout the period of high energy prices, the Government has continued to support energy consumers to stay warm and well.

Budget 2025 has introduced a total €2.6 billion suite of once-off cost-of-living measures to assist families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities this winter.

This includes a new electricity cost emergency benefit scheme through which €250 (including VAT), is being credited to each domestic electricity account in two payments of €125, again inclusive of VAT. These payments will take place between November 2024 and February 2025.

This follows three previous Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes which were introduced to support households between March 2022 and April 2024. In total, €1,250 has been provided to households in direct, on-bill support.