Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for a disconnection moratorium for all low-income households in respect of the energy crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61045/22]

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 to me as 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.Under its legal mandate, the CRU is responsible for implementing energy specific customer protection measures. In addition to the strengthened customer protection measures now in place to provide increased protections with extended moratoriums on disconnections, extended repayment periods for customers in debt and reduced debt burdens on Pay-as-You-Go customers, the supplier led Energy Engage Code provides a further level of security for domestic electricity and gas customers by ensuring that suppliers will not disconnect a customer that is engaging with them. In addition, suppliers must offer customers a range of payment options, including a debt repayment plan for any customer in arrears. Furthermore, I understand there is no charge for moving from a hardship prepayment meter to bill-pay, whether it is electricity or gas.

As part of the additional consumer protection measures for this winter, the annual moratorium on disconnections for non-payment of account for billpay customers has been extended by the CRU from one month to three and is in effect from 1 December to 28 February.  

A vulnerable customer is defined as a domestic customer who is critically dependent on electrically powered equipment, which includes, but is not limited to, life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment. This category of vulnerable customer cannot be disconnected for non-payment of account at any time. Vulnerable customers are also defined as someone who is particularly vulnerable to disconnection during the winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health. This category of vulnerable customer cannot be disconnected for non-payment of account between 1 October and 31 March. It is important that people who are in such situations contact their energy supplier to register with them as a vulnerable customer. Their energy supplier will then notify ESB Networks. ESBN maintains a Vulnerable Customer Register based on the information provided to them by suppliers.

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices are having on households. This is why the Government introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports 2022 and a package of one-off measures worth €2.5 billion in the Budget 2023 cost of living package.

Included in the Budget 2023 package is a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account, including Pay as You Go accounts, in three payments of €183.49 through the November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023 billing cycles at an estimated cost of €1.211 billion.

This is in addition to an extension of the 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas until the end of February 2023 and lump sum payments to social welfare recipients of schemes such as the Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Allowance, and the Working Family payment.

The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, at oireachtas@cru.iefor timely direct reply.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he plans to establish a just transition commission to guide and implement a carbon neutral transition to meet Ireland’s energy targets, build public support for climate action with targeted anti-poverty and pro-equality measures similar to Just Transition Scotland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61046/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government has adopted, through the Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP 2021), a framework for a just transition, comprising four principles. 1. An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements. 2. People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy. 3. The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated. 4 Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process.

As set out in CAP 2021, all relevant Ministers should consider this framework in the process of climate action policy formulation and implementation, so that policies are informed by the need to ensure a just transition. This includes creating sustainable employment opportunities, providing reskilling and retraining opportunities, and providing appropriate supports for those most vulnerable as part of Ireland’s transition to a climate neutral economy.

The Government has also committed, through CAP 2021, to establishing a statutory Just Transition Commission, whose purpose should be to provide strategic advice to Government, integrating its role with existing governance and engagement structures, on how Government policy can further a just transition. I am continuing to progress the development of proposals in relation to the establishment of the Commission. This work has included engagement with relevant stakeholders to inform my approach to the mandate of the Commission, including through the National Climate Stakeholder Forum, the most recent meeting of which took place on 27 July last.