Mick Barry
Ceist:14. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amounts provided in hardship funds for each of the gas and electricity utility companies. [50503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 12 October 2022
Ceisteanna (14)
Freagraí scríofa
The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) in 1999.The CRU is an independent statutory Regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister or Government.As part of its statutory role, the CRU also has consumer protection functions and sets out the obligations on suppliers in the Electricity and Gas Suppliers Handbooks. Further detail is available at www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CRU21111a-Electricity-and-Gas-Suppliers-Handbook-2021.pdf.I am aware that electricity and gas suppliers have set up hardship funds which provide exceptional financial support to those in need. I also understand that suppliers are partnering with NGO's in the operation of these arrangements. Therefore, it is very important that consumers who are finding it difficult to meet their electricity and gas bills contact their supplier as soon as possible and continue to engage with them.The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
Question No. 15 answered with Question No. 12.
Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 12.
Question No. 17 answered with Question No. 12.
Question No. 18 answered with Question No. 12.
Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 12.
Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 11.