Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2026
219. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of recipients of the household benefits package; the data on the number choosing to use the benefit on their gas versus their electric bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48078/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Household Benefits Package (HBP) comprises of the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
486,309 customers are currently receiving Free Electricity Allowance, of which 186,164 receive the credit to their electricity bill. The number of customers receiving Free Gas Allowance is 56,770, of which 16,770 receive the credit to their gas bill.
The credit payment option on the HBP was removed for new customers from September 2025 following an examination of customer preference and trends over several years. An increasing number of new customers were opting for the cash payment option even where the credit payment option was available. The credit payment option will remain for those customers who already receive their payment in this way as long as there is no change in their circumstances.
The decision also ensures that customers of all domestic energy providers are treated equally, and that no supplier would have a perceived advantage over competitors in the domestic energy market. This was a concern previously raised by the some energy providers and Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The decision also means that Household Benefits Package customers can move freely between energy providers, thereby taking advantage of the best deals in the energy market, without there being any change in the way their HBP payments are made.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
