Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
164. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his officials have compared and contrasted the economic reliefs that each EU country is applying to increased energy costs and how they compare to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38736/23]
View answerIn December 2022, Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The Plan is available on gov.ie and sets out the range of measures implemented to meet high energy costs, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford these increased energy costs are supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes.
A cross-departmental and inter-agency steering group meet periodically to review progress towards the objectives outlined in the Energy Poverty Action Plan, including short and long-term actions to support people to meet the cost of energy. Officials from my Department meet regularly with stakeholders, including energy suppliers and representative organisations, to review the effect of existing supports and consider future policy directions.
Regulation of retail energy markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) since the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation. However, officials from my Department correspond with CRU on an ongoing basis to track developments in retail and wholesale energy markets, including the effect of government supports on arrears levels, among other indicators. This includes meeting with representatives from other European countries, and staying up to date with European measures through ACER, the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. In November, officials from my Department will attend an EU meeting of the Energy Poverty and Vulnerable Consumers Coordination Group in order to engage with Commission recommendations for combatting energy poverty.
In addition, my Department commissioned a nationally representative research tracker to monitor public sentiment and knowledge in relation to energy issues. The results of this tracker indicates there has been some reduction in the difficulty of meeting energy costs, and that Irish families are making consistent efforts to reduce their energy use. The Government is working towards completing the implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan, monitoring the efficacy of existing supports, and exploring further measures to support consumers in the context of Budget 2024.
My Department is also conducting a spending review of household energy budget supports during Winter 2022/23 with the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order to provide an evidence base for policy making ahead of Budget 24.
