Joe Costello
Question:100 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the involvement of her Department on the inter-departmental group on affordable energy. [1785/10]
View answerTuesday, 19 January 2010
Questions (44)
Written answers
The Department of Social and Family Affairs assists social welfare recipients with heating costs, both through their basic payments and through the fuel allowance scheme and the household benefits package of electricity and gas allowances. These schemes have been improved significantly in recent years.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has overarching responsibility for the energy portfolio and convened an inter-departmental /agency group on affordable energy, in June 2008, to coordinate government policy in this area. The group, which is co-chaired by the Social Inclusion Division of this Department, comprises officials of the departments of the Taoiseach, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Finance, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Health and Children, Social and Family Affairs, the Commission for Energy Regulation, Sustainable Energy Ireland, the Institute of Public Health in Ireland and the ESB and Bord Gáis. Officials of the Department of Social and Family Affairs who have responsibility for the fuel allowance and household benefits schemes participate in the group. The objective of the group's work is to ensure shared understanding of the challenges and actions underway and to ensure a fully cohesive, strategic approach to the delivery of affordable energy initiatives and programmes.
The group has been asked to develop an affordable energy strategy encompassing the policies and initiatives required to improve energy affordability in Ireland. As part of its terms of reference, the group will seek to identify an appropriate methodology for the measurement and reporting of energy poverty in Ireland and to assess the extent of energy poverty in Ireland. I am advised that the group will commence its deliberations this month with a view to finalising the strategy following a period of consultation.
Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 92.