Press release

Government campaign urges people to avail of range of supports, as we face into a difficult winter

From: Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment
Published on: 19 October 2022
Last updated on: 16 November 2022

Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) – key role in consumer protection in the energy sector
SEAI – advice for families and businesses on how to reduce energy bills, plus grants for energy-saving improvements
Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) – providing free, confidential, independent and non-judgemental support
ALONE – working on behalf of all older people
Notes to the Editor

Important that families, households and businesses know what help is available, and how, where safe and possible to do so, they can reduce their energy use and bills

The government has today urged householders and businesses to ensure that they are availing of the supports that are in place to help all of us through this challenging winter. Alongside key partners like the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), MABS (Money and Budgeting Advice Service), ALONE and SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), the government is asking people to stay warm and well this winter and to know that help is available if they need it over the coming weeks and months.

This is the key message in the new winter season phase of ‘Reduce Your Use’, announced today at the ALONE offices in Dublin. The Reduce Your Use page and hashtag #ReduceYourUse provide a signpost to specific, existing sources of help that are out there, to help people identify appropriate supports for their needs over the coming winter period.

'Reduce Your Use' is a cross-government public information campaign which commenced in April 2022.

The nationwide campaign will run right across the heating season and will evolve as needed to meet the changing information needs and concerns of the public. This new phase of the campaign is based on research which shows that most people are worried about the energy situation, primarily because it is such an unknown. However, research also shows that people are looking for clarity on where they can go to get help and support, and what they can do to make the biggest difference to their energy bills.

As part of the multi-media campaign, an information leaflet, detailing how to access government supports and advice on how to be more conscious about energy usage, will also be delivered to every home in the country.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, said:

"The research we carried out shows clearly that everyone feels affected by the energy crisis. However, some groups in our society are more affected than others – older people; people on lower incomes; people with young families, for example. The government is acutely aware of the difficulties people are facing.

"This new phase of Reduce Your Use is, first and foremost, about providing clear information to people about the supports, help and advice that is available, from Government firstly, and also through specialist groups like MABS or ALONE, for example.

"We are also encouraging families and businesses to save money by being efficient in their energy use, but only when it is safe to do so. It is important that everyone stays warm and well."

Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) – key role in consumer protection in the energy sector

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) plays a key role in protecting energy consumers. It sets out the code of conduct by which all energy suppliers must treat their customers, in Supplier Handbooks. It monitors the marketplace – engaging with both suppliers and representatives from national support groups. Additional customer protection measures in place for this winter include extended moratoriums on disconnections, extended repayment periods for customers in debt, and reduced debt burdens on Pay-as-You-Go customers.

In addition to these protections, the supplier-led Energy Engage Code provides a peace of mind for domestic electricity and gas users. It encourages households, that are having difficulties with bills, to engage with their suppliers – to manage debt. Under this code, suppliers will not disconnect anyone who is engaging with them and will offer a range of payment options (such as a debt-repayment plan for anyone in arrears).

The CRU Customer Care Team provides a free information service and a free dispute resolution service for consumers and electricity/gas customers. More information on these protections is available on their website.

Aoife MacEvilly, chairperson of the CRU, said:

"While this winter will be a challenging time in the face of rising energy costs, it is important for all energy customers to know that there is a wide range of specific measures in place to protect them. Over the last number of months, the CRU has been particularly focused on the customers who may find themselves in the greatest difficulty, including vulnerable customers, customers who may fall into debt and customers on financial hardship prepayment meters. The new enhanced customer protection measures announced in August will provide an additional layer of reassurance to those customers over the next number of months. The CRU will continue working with suppliers, our Customer Stakeholder Group and the department on the implementation of these measures this winter."

SEAI – advice for families and businesses on how to reduce energy bills, plus grants for energy-saving improvements

SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) is Ireland's national sustainable energy authority. SEAI works with householders, businesses, communities and Government.

Speaking at today’s event, William Walsh, CEO of SEAI, said:

"We are working in very close partnership with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications – to help everyone reduce their energy use, now and for good. This starts with advising householders and businesses how to reduce their energy bills through changing habits, better practice and often common-sense guidance on heating and electricity. We are also delighted to see the huge interest in our government-funded grants for home energy upgrades, helping homeowners to improve the comfort of their homes while reducing their energy bills and harmful CO2 emissions. These schemes provide options and solutions for all budgets and all levels of ambition."

Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) – providing free, confidential, independent and non-judgemental support

MABS is the state-funded Money Advice and Budgeting Service. It has been supporting people with money advice, budgeting, and problem debt for 30 years. The MABS service is free, confidential, independent and non-judgemental.

MABS is available for you if you’re struggling with debt (including utility bills) or at risk of getting into debt and need help. You can get impartial advice from MABS to help you manage your money and take control of your finances. MABS offers support:

online through their website www.mabs.ie
over the phone through their Helpline 0818-07-2000 (Monday to Friday 9am–8pm)
face-to-face through their network of over 60 offices nationwide

MABS is funded and supported by the Department of Social Protection, through the Citizens Information Board.

Karl Cronin, National Spokesperson, MABS, said:

"MABS is delighted to work with the government on this campaign. Electricity and heating costs are priority expenses for every household and should be budgeted for accordingly. Where possible, weekly payments should be made towards electricity and heating costs to keep them under control and avoid arrears building up and becoming a problem. There are a number of supports available for households struggling to meet these costs. Advice and information on these are available from our MABS Helpline and our network of MABS offices. No one should be left without light or heat this winter – MABS is here to help."

ALONE – working on behalf of all older people

ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home. It works on behalf of all older people and aims to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Any older person who has concerns about their energy costs, finances, health, housing, or wellbeing this winter can call ALONE’s National Support and Referral Line – for access to services, advice and information, by calling 0818-222-024, 8am-8pm, 7 days a week.

Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, said:

"We know from the older people we work with that many are very concerned about their energy costs this winter, and have been feeling the impact of rising costs for some time. We are pleased to work with Government on the Reduce Your Use campaign to highlight that older people should not restrict their energy usage in ways that could impact their health this winter. Keeping warm and well is not just an issue of comfort, but a health issue. ALONE staff and volunteers are in place nationwide – to offer practical support and to coordinate services for and with older people to address their energy needs this winter, whether that is support with paying a bill, advice on how to minimise your energy costs while staying well, linking you in with relevant practical supports, or if you are simply concerned about the winter to come."

For information on available supports and energy-saving advice visit: www.gov.ie/ReduceYourUse and hashtag #ReduceYourUse

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Cost-of-living supports announced in Budget 2023

In Budget 2023, the government announced a suite of measures to help people with the rising cost of living. These include:

a €600 electricity credit for every household in the country
a double social welfare payment for October – namely the Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment
a double child benefit payment on 1 November
a lump sum payment of €400 to people in receipt of fuel allowance, in the week commencing 14 November
a payment of €200 to people who are in receipt of the living alone allowance, commencing on 14 November
a €500 payment to people in receipt of the working family payment. These payments will commence on 14 November
a €500 lump sum payment for people getting Carer's Support Grant. These payments will commence on 14 November
a €500 lump sum disability support grant will be paid to all people getting a long term disability payment

These payments will commence on 14 November.

For example, this means that a household in receipt of Fuel Allowance this winter will receive a total benefit of almost €2,000 made up of:

€924 Fuel Allowance payment for winter 2022/2023
€400 Fuel Allowance lump sum
€600 (including VAT) electricity credit

Department of Social Protection

In addition to the cost of living measures announced as part of Budget 2023 customers may also be eligible for other supports including:

Household Benefit Package (HBP) – This helps towards the costs of your electricity or gas bills. It also includes your television licence. The HBP is available to everyone over 70, it is not means tested and you do not need to be getting a pension. People under 70 may also be eligible, if they satisfy certain conditions such as a means test or are in receipt of certain other qualifying social welfare payments. Only one package is payable per household. For more info on the eligibility criteria and for the quickest way to apply visit www.MyWelfare.ie
Additional Needs Payment (ANP) – ANPs are intended to assist people receiving social welfare payment or who are on low income with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This support is provided by the Department of Social Protection’s Community Welfare Service (CWS). To find out more visit www.gov.ie/ANP

Protections for households – from the regulator (CRU)

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications works closely with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to ensure that people are aware of consumer protections (if they are struggling to meet their electricity and gas bills). People can find details on the CRU website.

The CRU recently announced stronger consumer protections. These include:

an extension to moratoriums on disconnections: The current moratorium on disconnections (for all domestic customers) is from mid-December to mid-January. The moratorium for vulnerable customers is from 1 November to 31 March. Under the new measures, the moratorium has been extended from 1 December until 28 February. For vulnerable customers, it has been extended from 1 October to 31 March
extended debt repayment periods: From 1 November debt repayment plans will be extended – giving households a minimum of 24 months to repay debt. Households can repay quicker if they can do so
reduced debt burden on pay-as-you-go top-ups: New measures mean that debt repayment levels will reduce to 10% (from 25% previously) on pay-as-you-go customers top-up payments. For example, on a €20 top-up only €2 will go towards debt repayment (instead of €5)
better value for those on financial hardship meters: All customers with a financial hardship meter will be put on the cheapest tariff available, from their supplier, from 1 December
promotion of a vulnerable customer register: Electricity suppliers must actively promote the ‘vulnerable customer register’ and the protection it offers (from 1 November)

Energy-saving advice for homeowners – from the SEAI

Energy-saving advice for homeowners from the SEAI focuses on the three main energy users in your home:

now that we are in the heating season, make sure you use timers and to maintain a comfortable 19C temperature in occupied rooms. (Higher temperature may be appropriate for elderly or infirmed occupants)
save on hot water heating by using a timer on your immersion and reducing the duration of your shower, particularly if you use a power shower
with appliances, if it makes things hot it uses a lot of electricity. So, use washing machines, dryers and dishwashers on lowest temperature settings, use ‘eco’ mode when available and always have a full load

For businesses:

if you are a business starting out on your energy efficiency journey, your first step is to understand your energy use and what actions can help to increase energy efficiency. Becoming familiar with how and where you use energy in your business, and the sustainable energy efficient alternatives, will allow you to make more informed investment decisions
sign up for SEAI’s free online learning resource – the SEAI Energy Academy – to start learning about energy use and energy efficiency for businesses

SEAI offers 3 routes to getting a home energy upgrade, to suit different circumstances and budgets:

for homeowners looking to do only one or two energy upgrades over a period of time, there are individual energy upgrade grants available. The homeowner applies for the grant, manages their own project, and then claims the grant back from SEAI on completion of works. There is no minimum BER requirement
the One Stop Shop service is for homeowners who wish to carry out multiple energy upgrades in one go to achieve a BER rating of B2 or better. The One Stop Shop fully manages the entire project including the grant application, making the home energy upgrade journey easier and hassle-free. The homeowner pays the One Stop Shop for the works minus the grant. This route offers a wider range of energy upgrade options to support homeowners who have low BER rated homes
fully funded Energy Upgrades: Offers energy upgrades to qualifying homeowners in receipt of certain welfare payments

Help for people on pay-as-you-go meters

The government have stressed on many occasions that nobody should go cold or without necessary electricity and power this winter. Minister Ryan has met with the CRU and suppliers – on safeguards and practical ways to protect pay-as-you-go customers.

Electricity suppliers have supports available. Their hardship funds can be accessed by pay-as-you-go customers, in the same way as bill-pay customers. Electricity suppliers are working with MABS and SVP on this.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is meeting MABS, St. Vincent De Paul (SVP), ALONE and other NGOs – ensure that people are fully aware of the measures available and how to access them. This work will continue throughout the winter – across Government – so that vulnerable households are identified and so that the necessary supports get to where they’re needed.

Electricity suppliers are actively dealing with customer queries; they are bolstering customer service staff/resources.

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Campaigns

Reduce your use

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Energy