Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the work to match Building Energy Rating (BER) data with the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC); if this data will be released; if a report will be published; when this can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34989/23]
View answerThe Government’s Energy Poverty Action Plan acknowledges that improving our measurements and data collection will assist in identifying the severity of energy poverty being experienced by households and therefore, where additional supports could be further targeted.
As set out in the Action Plan, a research network on energy poverty chaired by the ESRI has been established. The Group consists of representatives from DECC, DSP, SEAI and the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The main goal is to provide insights that enhance policy design to protect vulnerable households. A research agenda has been developed through coordinated effort of these different institutions.
As part of the planned programme of work the ESRI, in conjunction with the CSO, are working on matching Building Energy Rating (BER) data with the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC). This will provide a breakdown of the relative contribution of income, and energy efficiency of the dwelling (measured with the BER) toward energy poverty, to be developed. The CSO has completed the matching process and the ESRI is currently analysing this data.
