Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a physical reading is required for a smart meter, along with an automated one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9373/23]

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 (ESBN) have been tasked with the delivery of the roll out programme, which involves upgrading all of Ireland’s electricity meters to smart meters. To date over 1 million smart meters have been installed out of a total of 2.4 million to be replaced by the end of 2024.

Once a smart meter has connected to ESBN’s secure communications network, it will then send automatic readings, which means a physical reading is not required. The meter readings collected will be shared with the customers supply company to allow them to prepare an accurate bill. Moreover, only the level of data required to prepare a bill, in accordance with the type of tariff a customer has, will be shared with the customer's supply company.

It is important to note that there may still be occasions when remote meter readings are not able to be captured, which could result in an estimated bill. In a small number of cases the meter may not connect to the secure communications network because the meter may be in an area of low connectivity or there may be a physical obstruction in the way.

If a remote connection cannot be obtained, a customer can still avail of the standard time-of-use tariff through their electricity supply company. However, this will require a meter reader to visit the premises as is the case currently.