Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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92. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to consider providing an additional €125 payment for pensioners and those with disabilities under the Government electricity account credit scheme for the month of February, given that February and March are often the coldest months of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1160/25]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As part of Budget 2025, the Government approved a new scheme to provide electricity credits to more than 2.2 million households worth €250 in total per household.

Two payments of €125 (including VAT) will be made between November 2024 and February 2025 to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). Depending on when they are billed, many households will receive their second energy credit payment under the scheme in February 2025.

Other supports are available to help households to meet energy costs, including the fuel allowance. The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. Only one allowance is paid per household.

Furthermore, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme for people who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through Community Welfare Officers after an assessment of need.