Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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43. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has assessed the position of the sectors most-exposed to the surge in energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45049/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is very aware of the economic challenge of escalating energy prices and has put in place measures to assist enterprise. I and my Department are working with Minister Ryan, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and across Government, to manage our response to the energy situation as it develops.

The Wholesale Price Index for energy products purchased by the manufacturing industry rose by almost 78 per cent in the year to July 2022, and this spike is becoming apparent in the costs of energy intensive businesses. This is not unique to Ireland, and is facing all major economies around the world.

My Department continues to ensure an enterprise perspective is considered in our national response to price and supply issues in energy markets, and has been involved in the coordination of the response with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications through the Energy Security Emergency Group and its related sub-groups.

In June 2022, my Department undertook an analysis of sectoral energy consumption and each sector’s mix of energy types. A threshold of over 40 per cent of a sector’s energy use from a single energy type was used to identify sectors with an ‘intense use’.

Sectors with a high exposure to oil as a part of their energy mix, include: Agriculture; Construction; Non-Energy Mining; Textiles and Textile Products; Manufacturing of non-metallic products; and Transport equipment manufacture.

Sectors which use gas to meet over 40 per cent of their energy requirements include: Basic metals and fabricated products; Chemicals and man-made fibers; Food and beverages; and Health, Residential and Social Care Activities. While these sectors demonstrate the highest use of gas as share of their energy mix, the majority of sub-sectors across both industry and services sectors use gas to meet between 20% and 40% of their energy needs.

Exposure to electricity price increases is more broad-based across all economic sectors. As wholesale gas prices drive changes in electricity costs to a significant degree, there is a wider range of sectors with an indirect exposure to changes in gas prices.

My Department continues to engage with other Departments and Agencies to identify the scale and impact of energy price increases on firms.