Energy credit for mobile-home residents
Deputy O'Dowd asked whether full-time residents of mobile homes with private utility meters will receive the energy credit. The Minister said he would check the specifics, confirmed the credit is meant to be universal, and said he would try to ensure every case is covered.
The budget contained important additional funding for people who need energy credits, namely, every household in the country, and it is welcome. Over a 12-month period it will amount to more than €800. I wish to raise one cohort of people, namely, full-time residents of mobile homes in my constituency, and I am sure the constituencies of other Members as well, who pay for their utilities directly to the park operators through a private meter. What steps does the Minister intend to take to ensure that full-time residents in that situation will get the energy credit?
Comment on this
If the Deputy sends me the specific details, I will follow it up and check with the Department.
Comment on this
I do not have it here in front of me, but I will come back to the Deputy.
Comment on this
To answer the question, first, the energy credit system is the right approach. As I indicated in an earlier response, it had a material effect. There were approximately 200,000 in arrears and that reduced to 150,000 on the back of the credit and we expect to see a similar response this time. We said in agreeing the next tranche that we want it to be universal. There are certain families in various circumstances, for example, Traveller families, who we are making sure get it through local authorities. My understanding is that the people the Deputy mentioned in those circumstances have access through the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB. We said that those in the rental sector who are not able to get the direct payment because they might not be the name attached to the meter reading-----
Comment on this
I will look at the specifics. The Deputy is referring to someone who owns a mobile home rather than someone who rents one where the meter is done a different way. I will look at the specifics of the issue and try to make sure we cover every case.