Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the Energy Affordability Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60405/25]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of energy, oil, gas and home heating oil is a huge burden on so many people. I am conscious that the Minister has been advancing a plan on energy efficiency and affordability in particular. The Minister has already started implementing some of the measures ahead of publishing the plan. One issue that is starting to bite - it is very difficult for people - is the retrofitting and home upgrade area whereby the council grant for older people has been changed so they are not able to get a grant for the oil heater. Again, this is something that will be coming up in an emergency situation very often.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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That European directive was transposed in relation to that. We are not permitted, and rightly so, to provide grant aid for fossil fuel boilers. There are other options, however, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, and other things at which we are looking. We are looking at some supports within that space. We are moving away from fossil fuel boilers.

We are doing well as a country with regard to energy generation through renewables. As I said, it was over 41% last year. However, particularly, although not exclusively, in rural areas, there is a preponderance of both oil and gas boilers. That grant aid is not permitted any more through EU directives that we have transposed. We will look at other options, particularly around HVO and what we might be able to do in that space.

I know the Deputy was at a committee meeting, but I have given some quite substantial responses with regard to energy affordability this morning. The interim report has been published now. The Deputy rightly said that we have actually taken measures in the budget, such as the permanent reduction to 9% VAT, the increase in the fuel allowance and the expansion of the fuel allowance to the working family payment. We are talking about another 50,000 households in that space. I met with the four main energy companies directly. At my request, they have established hardship funds across those providers for the winter months and I am grateful that they have. Energy affordability remains a challenge and a priority for the Government. That is why the main work of the affordability task force will continue through the course of this year to look at network charges and a regulatory framework.

We also need work at European level in relation to the construct of the European market for electricity and how the Spark app in particular is dealt with. That is a discussion I am having at a European level.