Every household in Ireland is set to receive a €125 cost-of-living payment in the coming weeks, with no need for social welfare benefits or applications.
This initiative is part of the Government’s energy credit scheme, announced in Budget 2025, which aims to ease financial pressures. It will benefit every household electricity account holder in Ireland, an estimated 2.25 million properties.
The scheme provides a total of €250 in energy credits, distributed in two installments. Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe confirmed the details in October, stating: “Budget 2025 will include an energy credit of €250 for all households. This will be paid in two equal payments.”
The first payment of €125 was issued before Christmas, and now the second instalment will be automatically applied to electricity bills this month.
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Households will not need to apply for it and they will not need to contact their electricity supplier.
Who is eligible?
Anyone who holds a household electricity account can get the payments, including pay as you go customers. The scheme will not be means tested.
How to apply
You will not need to do anything. Households do not need to apply for the payment and account holders will see the money automatically taken off their bill.
When will the payment be made?
Households got their first €125 off energy bills before Christmas, and the second will come off bills this month.
How much money will I get?
€125 is the amount consumers will see as a credit line item on their bills. Each domestic electricity account holder will get the benefit of the VAT inclusive amount.
Does it apply to renters?
If your landlord pays your electricity bill, it will likely be up to them whether or not they pass on any of the money. The Residential Tenancies Board is tasked with handling disputes by renters who do not see the savings passed onto them.
In guidance for tenants, the Government previously said: “The credit is designed to provide all domestic electricity account holders with a contribution to their electricity bills. In some cases, tenants in rented accommodation pay their landlord for their electricity (and do not have a domestic electricity account in their own name). The expectation, in those circumstances, is that landlords will pass on the credit to their tenants.
“The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has partnered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to ensure that this is communicated widely across the rental sector, to landlords and tenants alike. Those using and ultimately paying for electricity (whether in their electricity bills or included in their rent payments) should be the beneficiaries of the Scheme.
“In the event of a dispute arising, tenants and landlords are encouraged to try and resolve the matter together first, by keeping lines of communication open. In the event that the dispute cannot be resolved between the parties, the matter may be referred to the RTB’s free mediation service, where an independent mediator helps both parties to come up with a solution that is mutually beneficial.
“Alternatively, the parties can apply for adjudication with the RTB, where an independent adjudicator makes a finding based on the evidence related to the case.”
Does it apply to Pay As You Go customers?
Yes. All household electricity account holders will see the savings applied to them. For those with hardship prepay meters, the Government said of a previous payment: “The electricity credit will be applied over the course of three separate top-ups or vends, for customers using hardship prepay meters. These meters have a €300 credit limit, and the Government credit could put the meter over this limit.
“As a solution, the credit will be broken down into three smaller credits, which can be redeemed over the course of a few days – by the customer making a €10 payment towards their electricity bill. Customers will be advised only to pay €10 on each occasion to receive their credit, and to allow one day between each payment.”
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