Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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106.To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the situation of residents who use a coin meter for electricity, given that these residents are not registered with an electricity supplier in Ireland, do not have an individual meter point registration number, and do not receive an electricity bill, this results in no energy credit being passed onto the residents; if energy credits are announced or allocated to persons again in Budget 2025 or if further schemes are designed to assist with the cost of energy; if he will into account the difficulties that such persons who have coin meters face; the provisions that can be put in place to allow such residents to claim the energy credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34728/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Budget 2024 introduced a third Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme which over 2.2 million households have benefitted from - worth €450 in total per household. Through the three Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes 2.2 million households have received €1,250 in on bill support.

The type of coin operated meters referred to by the Deputy are not installed by ESBN and are not regulated by the CRU. Such devices are usually installed behind the electricity meter, and their use for payment of electricity is a contractual matter between residents and their landlords. Where a dispute arises between a tenant and landlord regarding the passing on of the payment, the resolution mechanisms of the RTB are available; however, tenants will be encouraged to resolve the matter with their landlord in the first instance.

A variety of supports are available to support households meet their energy costs, including the Fuel Allowance payment which has recently expanded eligibility to include people on Employment Support Schemes, and the Additional Needs Payment, provided by the Department of Social Protection.

Household customers struggling with their bills are strongly encouraged to engage with their supplier, directly or through a third-party representative. Suppliers will not disconnect customers that continue to engage with them and suppliers have additional customers supports in place, including hardship funds. to meet costs of essentials such as energy.

Government is closely monitoring the impact of the full range of supports and the matter of any additional supports is a matter for consideration in the context of Budget 2025. In addition, the revised Energy Poverty Action Plan, due to be published later this year, will build on and continue the policies and actions that have been driven to date by the existing Plan, and where appropriate, informed by stakeholder input, will supplement these measures.