Energy Prices

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Ceisteanna (71, 77)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

71. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the meetings that he has held in the past five months with energy providers on the soaring costs of bills. [42486/22]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

77. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Minister will raise the issue of support required for vulnerable and older energy customers to help set up paperless billing online with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities so that the regulator can liaise with energy companies on this matter (details supplied); the steps that are currently being taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42763/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 77 together.  

Government is acutely aware of the impact 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 we are 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. Government has already put a €2.4 billion package of policies and measures in place to support people 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. As Minister, I meet with a range of stakeholders across the energy sector, where affordability of electricity and gas is a priority issue. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. As part of its statutory role, the CRU also has responsibility for consumer protection functions with regard to electricity and gas and monitors energy retail markets to ensure that competition continues to develop for the benefit of the consumer. This requires the CRU to have detailed interaction with energy providers on an ongoing basis. On foot of this, on 25 August the CRU announced enhanced consumer protection measures to be implemented by electricity and gas providers ahead of the coming winter. The CRU is accountable directly to the Oireachtas and has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members: [e-mail].