I move:
That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to include the definition of “vulnerable customers” in relation to the functions of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities; and to allow the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to make regulations to that effect.
I am proud to introduce the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Protection of Financially Vulnerable Customers) Bill 2023. During times of increasing energy prices, it is important that those who are vulnerable to energy poverty be protected. To date, however, there is no legal definition in primary legislation of what constitutes a vulnerable customer.
SI 463/2011 - European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity and Gas) (Consumer Protection) Regulations of 2011 - provides a definition of “vulnerable customer” to be considered by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU. The definition contained within this statutory instrument does not include customers who are financially vulnerable. The purpose of the Bill is to update the definition of "vulnerable customers" in primary legislation to include those in receipt of social welfare income supports. The Bill would mean that the CRU would be obliged to consider the financial circumstances of vulnerable customers in any policy considerations it takes when examining the enhancement of protection for such customers.
It is often said that in the midst of every crisis lies a great opportunity. Energy companies have identified that opportunity and they are maxing out on it at the expense of our most vulnerable people. Companies will do what companies do. However, it is the responsibility of the Government to protect vulnerable people and regulate what energy companies do in order to ensure that our most vulnerable people are not exposed to profiteering. The Government is currently failing to do this.
During my party's Private Members' time last week, we debated the spiralling cost of energy. We have been debating this matter for a year and a half now. The Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, talked about including financially vulnerable people and consumers in the Government's definition of "vulnerability" when it comes to disconnections. According to the Government’s plan, published in December 2022, vulnerable customers were meant to be the subject of a definition and taken care of by now. That was meant to be done by winter 2022. It still has not been done in spring 2023. Yet again, the Government talks the talk but does not walk the walk. Every time it puts these issues of the cost of living on the long finger, the Government visits months of worry and stress on hard-pressed people and their children.
The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, published a report yesterday in which it is stated that one in ten children in Ireland is living in a home that his or her parents cannot afford to heat. We all heard the reports in the media in the past week about GPs reporting that elderly people are developing hypothermia in their homes because they are afraid to turn their heating on as a result of the cost involved.
The road will run out next week in respect of the Government supports for many customers. The road will also run out on the moratorium on disconnections relating to members of the general populace. We need to ensure that those falling into fuel poverty are protected and can be advocated for by the likes of the CRU. The Bill seeks to make that a reality. Given that the Government has promised to deal with this before now, I hope it will support the Bill and help progress it though the Dáil and Seanad as quickly as possible.
