Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of new smart meters that have had to be replaced due to being faulty since the beginning of the programme; the number of customers that have been charged €400 for requesting a meter check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60563/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Smart Metering Programme is overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) who also have responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets, as set out under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act. The CRU is an independent Regulator accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not me as Minister.

ESB Networks (ESBN), the electricity Distribution System Operator, is delivering the electricity meter rollout under the oversight of the CRU. This involves the installation of over 2.4 million smart meters by end of 2024. However, my Department has been in contact with ESBN and has been informed that as of 30 November, ESB Networks has installed 1,063,817 smart meters across the country. Moreover, to date 1,222 smart meters have been replaced due to fault reasons. This amounts to approximately 0.1% of the total number of smart meters installed. The reason for their replacement includes physical damage, internal electronic failures or mains electrical faults. One smart meter customer has been charged with regard to a meter check where a charge of €241 was made.

The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters directly with CRU and to seek ongoing operational updates on issues, such as the one raised here, at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.