Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
28. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of reporting on energy poverty; the actions being taken to alleviate it as required under the EU clean energy package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4996/24]
View answerThe Energy Poverty Action Plan 2022 set out the range of measures implemented, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs were supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes over winter 2022/23. The implementation of the Action Plan is being monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.
The inaugural Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum was held in July 2023. The Forum 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 was published on gov.ie
An Annual Report outlining progress under the various actions in the Plan will be published in Quarter 1 2024.
As set out in the plan, as part of the ESRI’s research programme, Government is providing funding to examine whether existing supports are well-targeted towards those who are at risk of energy poverty and the impact of those supports on the level of energy poverty.
As part of this research the ESRI will:
• propose a metric for measuring energy poverty that combines expenditure and energy efficiency;
• propose metrics to measure changes in the trend of fuel poverty regarding the number of households and its severity.
The research programme is a three year programme and the ESRI will publish papers throughout this time.
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.
DECC will engage with relevant stakeholders and consult with the public in the coming months to further the implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan, and in the context of the development of a revised Action Plan.
