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Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure IE-2022-45/2960 Updated – measures in Ireland

New €600 electricity credit for domestic households

Country Ireland , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 01 November 2022 – 31 March 2024
Context War in Ukraine, Cost of Living Crisis
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Support for energy bills
Author Roisin Farelly (IRN Publishing) and Eurofound
Measure added 25 October 2022 (updated 14 November 2023)

Background information

Budget 2023 took place against a background of strong economic growth of 10% (expected) in 2022, driven mainly by the multinational sector. According to the Government, growth is expected to continue in 2023, with the economy expected to expand by 4.7%. In addition, there are more people employed in Ireland than ever before. It is expected that over 2.5 million people will be in employment in 2023.

The Budget also took place against a background of high inflation and calls for the Government to intervene in the cost of living crisis and in particular, to support households with their energy bills.

Content of measure

The Government allocated €1.2 billion for energy supports to help consumers with the costs of utilities in 2022 and 2023.

According to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications: "The large increase in energy prices, driven by the war in Ukraine, is having a significant impact on families, households and businesses across the country".

Under the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme II, all domestic electricity customers will get €600 credit to help reduce electricity bills. The credit will be paid in 3 instalments of €200. The first payment will be made in November 2022. The second electricity credit will be made in January 2023. The third will be made in March 2023.

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is overseeing the scheme.

Updates

The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.

10 October 2023

A further three Electricity Credits of €150 each were announced in Budget 2024 and are to be applied to domestic electricity bills in December 2023, January 2024 and March 2024.

Use of measure

No available information.

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

No available information on social partners' views.

Sources

  • 13 October 2022: The Budget in Brief Your Guide to Budget 2023 (www.gov.ie)
  • 13 October 2022: Major package of supports to protect families, households, and businesses in Budget 2023 (www.gov.ie)

Citation

Eurofound (2022), New €600 electricity credit for domestic households, measure IE-2022-45/2960 (measures in Ireland), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/IE-2022-45_2960.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.