Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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90. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason for ESB charges for rural dwellers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34975/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity sector is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is an independent regulator. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent statutory body and solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions. As Minister, I therefore have no function in this matter. It is a function of the CRU to regulate the electricity market.

The charges raised by the Deputy are set out in Part 3 of the ESBN Statement of Charges document available at www.esbnetworks.ie/docs/default-source/publications/approved-statement-of-charges-2020-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=224533f0_69. These charges are set under CRU regulatory oversight as set out at www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2004/07/cer04300.pdf. In rural areas the length of the of the network per customer is relatively high and consequently it costs more to install, maintain and operate than in areas with a higher density. Additionally, the Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise day to day questions on regulatory matters directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.