A business minister said he cannot see the Energy Bill Support Scheme payments being issued to Northern Ireland before Christmas but is hoping to "stand that up" in January.
Graham Stuart reminded the House of Commons "energy is devolved" and the executive in Northern Ireland should be dealing with the payments instead.
He told DUP MP Carla Lockhart, who asked an urgent question on the issue, he understands why her party is not part of "that executive" but added: "That has consequences."