Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1754. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to reduce energy costs. [27091/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The overarching energy objective of successive Governments has been to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. As outlined in the Energy White Paper, Government policy is to ensure that policy choices impacting energy costs are evidence-based with a focus on competitiveness, cost-benefit, security and sustainability.The electricity and gas markets are commercial and deregulated operating within national and European regulatory regimes.  I have no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of gas or electricity prices.

Responsibility for the regulation of the gas or electricity markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent statutory body.

At a national level, the deregulated energy market results in choices for consumers and businesses in terms of suppliers, products and prices.  I would encourage consumers to either switch supplier or to contact their current supplier to ensure that the best available deal is being provided. Two CER approved websites, and , are very helpful in aiding consumers to choose the products that best suit their needs and assisting them to switch energy suppliers.

Under various relevant Statutory Instruments, CER carries out statutory market monitoring functions and has the responsibility to ensure the market operates competitively for the benefit of the consumer. It also conducts regulatory scrutiny of the network costs component of retail prices.

Energy efficiency supports also represent a significant opportunity for consumers and businesses to reduce their energy costs. The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) provides the policy framework for energy efficiency in Ireland. Energy efficiency supports are available via the SEAI, to assist both business and domestic energy consumers, with significant funding allocated to them.

In 2017 I have allocated increased funding to the Better Energy programme, which provides funds for energy efficiency upgrades to homes, as well as €8m for the expanded Warmth and Well-being pilot programme and a further €5m to a deep retrofit pilot programme.  Overall, over €100m will be spent on supporting sustainable energy projects in 2017, saving over 116,000 tonnes in carbon emissions every year, reducing overall dependence on imported fossil fuels, and supporting around 3,000 jobs.