Measures to give electricity users a €200 credit on their bills has been signed into law and it is expected that people will start receiving the discount from next month.
The €200 credit, designed to soften the blow of rising energy costs, will be listed on people’s bills as a €176.22 credit line – but the full discount will be €200 when VAT is factored in.
It will start appearing on bills from April though it could be May or June before some people receive it, depending on their billing cycle.
Customers on prepay meters will get it from next month in three credits broken into two €90 payments and a €20 payment – they are advised to top up by €10 each time and to leave at least one day between each payment.
Landlords whose tenants do not have an electricity account are expected to pass the discount and the Residential Tenancies Board could mediate or adjudicate in cases of disputes.
The credit should be issued automatically without customers having to apply for it.