Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
126. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to support households with additional energy costs due to having a person or persons with a disability living there. [43903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact on consumers of high electricity and gas prices, and has introduced a range of measures to mitigate their impact. The most immediate factor affecting electricity prices in Ireland and Europe is high international gas prices where Ireland is a price taker. Gas prices are now unprecedentedly high, which feeds directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas. In response to this situation, as recently as 25 August the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) announced enhanced consumer protection measures to be implemented by electricity and gas providers ahead of the coming winter.
Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the CRU under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. The CRU ceased price setting for electricity and gas in 2011 and 2014. Therefore, the setting of prices and charges is a commercial matter for individual supply companies. Government has already put a €2.4 billion package of measures in place to support people to meet the cost of energy and continues to monitor this unprecedented and evolving situation closely to inform ongoing consideration of further action, particularly in the context of the imminent Budget 2023. The CRU customer protection measures for the coming winter are aimed at providing protection for all customers but are focused particularly on strengthening protections and security for customers in greatest difficulty – including vulnerable customers, customers in debt and customers on financial hardship prepayment meters.
The Government recognises that more needs to be done as prices continue to increase and additional measures to support households are being examined in the context of the forthcoming Budget.
The Government also recently published a review of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty, alongside a public consultation that will help to inform the development of a new Action Plan to Combat Energy Poverty. The new Action Plan will set out a range of measures to be implemented ahead of the coming winter, as well as key longer-term measures to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected. It is intended that the new plan will be published shortly after the Budget. The development and implementation of the new Action Plan will be overseen by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.
