Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned at the continuing impact of the increase in the price levels of fuel on households and on the issue of fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families and businesses from high energy prices. The Government’s national strategy on affordable energy makes it clear that addressing energy poverty is a whole of Government responsibility.

My Department offers energy efficiency upgrades that are free of charge to households that are at risk of energy poverty. I also introduced a new scheme in 2014 that requires the main energy suppliers to deliver annual energy efficiency savings, a certain proportion of which must be in the energy poverty sector.

Other Departments are also proactive in tackling energy poverty, including the Department of Social Protection through its income supports for those in energy poverty and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government which offers a range of supports through Local Authorities.

While energy poverty will, of course, be an important element of the forthcoming White Paper, there will also be a new Government Strategy on Affordable Energy published in the Autumn. This strategy will be informed by the results of the engagement on the Consultation Paper on Affordable Energy published earlier this year. The aim of the strategy will be to focus on a small number of high impact actions. My intention is that those actions would be progressed over the next three years with a view to tackling energy poverty to maximum effect.

Responsibility for electricity and gas market regulation is a matter for the CER, which is an independent statutory body.