To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the Energy Payment Support Scheme, including (i) the eligibility and application criteria; (ii) the amount of award per recipient; and (iii) the third sector bodies that have been involved with the development of the scheme.

This is a global fuel crisis and undoubtedly will have a major impact, including on those who are already struggling financially. The Department continues to engage with the Utility Regulator and the Consumer Council and given the scale of this crisis will work with Executive colleagues to try and mitigate the impacts

Once the level of funding is known I will be in a position to confirm who will be eligible, and the amount of the proposed one-off payment.

Third sector bodies have not been involved in the development of the scheme.