Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45520/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The overarching objective of Government energy policy is to ensure a secure, sustainable supply of competitively priced energy for all consumers. As outlined in the Energy White Paper, it is Government policy to ensure 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 - that is the responsibility of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as the independent statutory energy regulator. CRU is responsible for ensuring the market operates competitively for the benefit of the consumer. At a national level, the electricity and gas retail markets provide choice for consumers, including businesses, in terms of suppliers, products and prices.  I would encourage consumers to switch supplier or to contact their current supplier to ensure that the best available deal is being provided. Energy efficiency offers very significant potential for business to reduce their energy spend and enhance competitiveness. There are already a range of supports available to large energy users and to SME's and information on these is available on the SEAI website at .

In addition, I have secured significant additional resources for energy efficiency in Budget 2018. €14m will be used to enhance energy efficiency supports for the commercial sector in 2018. To ensure such funding continues to meet the needs of commercial energy users, my Department is currently engaging with business organisations through an open public consultation. Details are available on my Department's website at . The consultation is open until 3 November.