Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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234. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the model that is used in relation to the price regulation of network charges that the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities employs is the RPI minus X formula, is similar to that used in Britain. [37613/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. 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 responsible for oversight of the costs associated with the operation and development of the national grid by the System Operators, including the matter referred to in this Parliamentary Question. Therefore the Minister has no statutory function in this matter.

The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.iefor timely direct reply.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the setting of the X factor as part of the price regulation formula is comprised of estimated operational costs, capital expenditure and finance costs over a five-year period; and if he will identify any other costs associated with the regulation of energy networks. [37614/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. 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 responsible for oversight of the costs associated with the operation and development of the national grid by the System Operators, including the matter referred to in this Parliamentary Question. Therefore the Minister has no statutory function in this matter.

The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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236. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the X factor does not change once this has been established until the five-year revenue cap period has changed in relation to the price regulation of network charges that the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities employs; and the five-year revenue cap that is set. [37615/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. 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 responsible for oversight of the costs associated with the operation and development of the national grid by the System Operators, including the matter referred to in this Parliamentary Question. Therefore the Minister has no statutory function in this matter.

The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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237. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current revenue cap that has been set for the transmission network; the period that it applies to; and the associated costs that comprise the X factor calculation. [37616/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. 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 responsible for oversight of the costs associated with the operation and development of the national grid by the System Operators, including the matter referred to in this Parliamentary Question. Therefore the Minister has no statutory function in this matter.

The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views that it is appropriate to have an electricity pricing system in which rural customers are paying a 25% higher rate of standing charge for electricity and a 6% higher rate per unit for electricity in comparison to urban customers; if he will seek a review of this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37626/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation.Prices in the electricity retail market have been fully deregulated since April 2011 and in the gas market since 2014. 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.

CRU is accountable to the Oireachtas and has a dedicated email address where Oireachtas members can contact the CRU directly for a timely response at oireachtas@cru.