Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
184. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement that has taken place with energy providers in respect of the cost of energy for householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/22]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as the independent energy regulator was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation, has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations.
Suppliers have a critical role in the protection of financially vulnerable customers and customers in debt on their energy bills. In this regard, under Response 6 of the National Energy Security Framework, the CRU are tasked with implementing a package of additional protections for people in such situations ahead of the coming winter. The CRU is currently working very closely with suppliers to enhance existing protections by introducing additional measures to:
- Ensure more manageable payment/debt repayment plans by extending the time for repayment
- Ensure more manageable payment/debt repayment for customers on financial hardship prepayment meters
- Enhance protection for financial hardship prepayment meter customers
- Promote greater awareness and uptake of supplier procedures for dealing with customers in, or at risk of energy debt
- Ensure customers in debt are on a metering/payment plan that is suitable for them· Ensure suppliers proactively identify customers in debt who should not be on prepayment meters and help them find other options
- Enhance vulnerable customer protections
- Optimise the involvement of NGOs by ensuring all suppliers nominate specific contacts to support customers in debt Improving protection from disconnection for all domestic customers Government continues to monitor this unprecedented and evolving situation closely to inform ongoing consideration of further action.
