Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who have had smart electricity metres installed are having their standing charge and their night time electricity rates significantly increased; the rationale behind this approach which seems to be contrary to the sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32499/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Smart Metering Programme is overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and ESB Networks is delivering the electricity smart meter rollout. To date over 750,000 smart meters have been installed and 1.1 million are due to be installed by the end of this year. The National Smart Metering Programme will roll out and install 2.3 million meters by 2025.In February 2021, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) made it an obligation on electricity suppliers to provide Time of Use tariffs to their customers.

Response 22 of the National Energy Security Framework, published in April, identifies the need to drive customer demand for these smart tariffs. Therefore, building on the existing supplier obligation, work is underway to put in place a smart meter data access code (due Quarter 4 2022), which will allow consumers to access much more detailed data on their historical energy usage, empowering them to engage with suppliers to find the smart tariff offering most suitable for them.

The National Energy Security Framework response also tasks the CRU with examining the charges within its remit to ensure that the differential between peak and off-peak tariffs provides the opportunity for electricity customers to save money if they can move some consumption to off-peak times.

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.