Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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184. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he is taking in response to privacy concerns around ESB smart meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22017/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The installation of smart meters is a key enabler for the energy transition to a decarbonised system as outlined in the Climate Action Plan.  In addition the move to upgraded digital meters will bring many benefits for energy customers by enhancing competition, making bills more accurate, providing customers with better information on their energy consumption and empowering them with new tools to make more informed choices about their energy needs. The better information provided by smart meters will enable consumers to reduce consumption and utilise higher amounts of electricity – increasingly from renewable sources - at off peak times. Smart meters will also facilitate the development of microgeneration, smart grids and the increasing electrification of transport and heating.

 The National Smart Metering Programme is co-ordinated by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with ESB Networks delivering the electricity meter rollout. Over 250,000 meters have been installed to the end of March 2021 since the rollout of over 2 million electricity meters commenced in September 2019. Customer satisfaction with the rollout remains very high with the vast majority of customers accepting the meter exchange.

My Department is very cognisant of the need for security in relation to smart metering data, including appropriate access to data and data privacy rights. In that regard, ESB Networks has submitted a comprehensive Data Protection Impact Assessment on the Smart Metering Programme to the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) and CRU have had extensive engagements with DPC officials in the development of the programme. In addition, my officials continue to engage with the DPC and also with the Office of the Attorney General as we work through the transposition process of the EU Internal Market for Electricity Directive, which contains smart metering provisions, including some pertaining to data.