Background information

In December 2021 the Government introduced a new Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme. This was introduced against the background of rising energy prices which was contributing to rises in the cost of living.

The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 was signed into law in March 2022.

Content of measure

The legislation makes “provision, due to the exceptional rise in global energy prices, for the establishment of a scheme to be known as the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme for the purpose of making, on a once-off basis, an electricity costs emergency benefit payment in the year ending 31 December 2022 in respect of domestic electricity accounts”.

Under the Scheme, €200 (inclusive of VAT) will be credited to up to 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts, in recognition of pressures on households due to increases in the cost of living. The scheme applies to all domestic electricity accounts held with suppliers on 29 March. The credit will be applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts and does not need to be applied for.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has oversight of the Scheme.

Use of measure

Applied to up to 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement.

Views and reactions

N/A

Sources

• 17 December 2021: Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme (www.gov.ie)
• 04 March 2022: Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 (www.oireachtas.ie)
• 07 March 2022: Minister Ryan welcomes the signing of the legislation needed for the Government’s Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme (www.gov.ie)