Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to include NGOs/civil society organisations working in the sphere of poverty/energy poverty on the Energy Poverty Steering Group; how these groups have been consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38665/23]
View answer153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Energy Poverty Steering Group; how many times it has met since its inception; how the group has consulted NGOS/civil society organisations working in the sphere of poverty/energy poverty; how many times it has met with these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38666/23]
View answer154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the report on the Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38667/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 to 154, inclusive, together.
On 13 December 2022 Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The Plan is available at www.gov.ie and sets out a range of measures to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes. The implementation of the Action Plan is being monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.
This group was established in August 2022, has met 5 times and is scheduled to meet next on 14 September 2023.
As part of the work of the Steering Group, the inaugural Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum was held on 7 July 2023. The Forum sought to improve and accelerate the implementation of the plan, by fostering dialogue and cooperation among NGOs, industry representatives, and public bodies. It provided a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, assess progress on objectives from across the action plan, and share new ideas to combat energy poverty.
A report on the recommendations and outcomes of the Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum is due to be published in the coming weeks.
In addition, my Department commissioned a nationally representative fortnightly research tracker, which is indicating that Irish families are making every effort to reduce their energy use and that there has been a reduction in the difficulty of meeting energy costs.
Ultimately, the best way to combat energy poverty in the long-term will be by continuing to make investments to improve the energy efficiency of homes, boost renewable energy adoption, and deepen interconnection with Europe. Improving home energy efficiency and cutting our dependence on fossil fuels will ensure a cleaner, cheaper energy future.
