Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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81. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the rising cost of energy and electricity for households; when households will receive the €200 electricity credit; the additional measures he will take to address rising fuel, electricity and energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10694/22]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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What are the Minister's views on the rising costs of energy and electricity for households? When will households receive the €200 electricity credit? What additional measures will he take to address rising fuel, electricity and other energy costs?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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It is important that we help our people through what is, unfortunately, an historic period of high international fuel prices caused by international events - not just what we now see as the war in Ukraine, but a variety of factors that are outside our control. At the start, the Government's response was to monitor the situation constantly. This year's budget contains significant increases in social welfare that are designed to help those who are most at risk of fuel poverty. There has also been a significantly increased allocation for energy efficiency measures, which target those on low incomes in particular. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has given my Department all the capability it needs to help people become more energy efficient in that way.

It was appropriate of us to deploy various other additional measures: the reduction in public transport fares, increased help with medical prescription charges and, of more importance, the direct credit payment of €200, which is likely to appear on most people's bills this April. That payment was the most effective and fastest measure and, in comparison with what other European countries are doing, is in line with best practice and with what was recommended by the European Commission.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I did not pick up the date on which the €200 credit would land on people's bills. Perhaps he will clarify it.

It might seem a secondary consideration in light of everything that is happening, and our primary concern is for the welfare of the people of Ukraine, but will the Minister clarify the role of Russian gas in our supply? The Tánaiste stated that our supply was 50% from Corrib and 50% from Moffat. Previously, the Minister stated that it was one third from Corrib and two thirds from Moffat, with 3% of the latter possibly being Russian gas.

Does the Minister expect gas prices to increase? At what point, if any, will he consider the carbon tax and excise duties – the Government has ruled out VAT – if prices continue increasing for people?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Bill to allow for the payment of the credit still has to come back to the Dáil. It was amended in the Seanad this week. Subject to it being able to return to the Dáil, which I presume will be next week, the Business Committee will have to decide. That would bring us into early March. It will have to be signed by the President and the various regulations will have to be put in place, so it will be the end of March and into April that we should start seeing bills being adjusted.

In recent days, I was speaking with colleagues in the European Commission about Europe's ability to manage our gas supplies during this crisis. Nothing is certain; we are in a completely uncertain moment.

We are not reliant on Russian gas. Of the gas that we use, only a relatively small percentage, in the low single digits, comes from Russian gas fields. In 2006 and 2009, we went through a similar Russian gas crisis when the pipelines were cut off. At that time, Europe was much weaker. We have improved our systems since then. We are still not protected but I am informed by the Commission officials to whom I spoke yesterday that we will be able to manage. There is latency and capability for us to progress even if some of the gas pipelines are shut off.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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One of the ways we can help people with their electricity and energy costs is to empower and enable them to generate their own energy. When will we have the long-awaited updated regulations to exempt schools from the planning conditions in terms of solar PV? We heard from the Taoiseach that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage would have them ready in two or three weeks. We then heard from the Minister of State at that Department that the timeframe in that regard would be months because the Department is still awaiting an environmental impact assessment. My first question was in regard to missed targets. This is the low-hanging fruit. We need to empower communities, schools and farms to play their role. The State is acting as an impediment.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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On the regulations, my understanding is that they were to be ready in weeks rather than months. I will have to check that and revert to the Deputy. He is correct that our response in reducing our emissions and our dependency on imported gas, regardless of where it is from, has to be in every different location and every school building. We have to avail of every opportunity to make the switch in our heating systems particularly and in our power generation. The heating plan we are working on with the SEAI will be developed and published in the near future. That plan will play a key role in giving clear guidance, particularly to public authorities, as to the changes we need to make.