The compensation given this year for the rise in the electricity tariff is being extended to families which have a person living there who receives the energy voucher, the Department of Information said. The allowance will be paid by the end of this year.

The amount will be according to the size of the family, which receives €30 and an additional €25 for every person in the home.

About another 10,000 families will benefit, with about 17,000 persons receiving the compensation, valued at almost e1 million, the DOI said.