David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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62. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the situation with respect to electricity costs imposed on small businesses which have reduced their energy consumption from the national grid by installing photo voltaic panels; if it is Government policy that higher charges would pertain in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28235/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity market following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, and subsequent legislation.Prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated since April 2011. Price setting by electricity suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. An electricity supplier can increase or decrease the rates charged to customers in line with what has been signed up to in the contract. This may include increasing/decreasing the unit rate, the standing charge or any additional charges on bills.

The CRU encourages customers to shop around for better offers from other suppliers and has accredited a number of switching websites to assist customers in this process. For more information visit