Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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202. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide advice to households that have already significantly reduced their energy usage but who are still experiencing difficulty in meeting costs; if further supports are to be made available to households in order to assist in meeting these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17402/23]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a process has been agreed by which full-time residents in mobile homes can access a much-needed electricity credit; if he can confirm that such a payment will be drawn down through the €10 million energy poverty fund to further support persons in, or at risk of, energy poverty to ensure that these vital credits are received by the thousands of full-time mobile-home residents that to date have been unable to access the Government credit, despite being one of the most vulnerable sections of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17520/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 205 together.

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices has had on households and has prioritised action across Government to support people to stay warm and well. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package included an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) is being credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). The first two payments have already been made to accounts and the third is being credited by suppliers to accounts since 1 March. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion.

On the 21st of February Government announced a further €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients from April to July and an extension to the reduced VAT rate on electricity and gas bills until October.

Government is closely monitoring the situation and it can be seen, via a nationally representative fortnightly research tracker, that Irish Families, Households and Businesses are making every effort to reduce their energy use. It can also be seen that although there is a reduction in the difficulty experienced when tackling high energy costs, there are still segments who are facing severe financial pressure caused by their energy bills. Government of Ireland public information messaging on available supports and available advice is being specifically tailored to these segments. This focused, targeted approach will urge those who need it most to ensure they are availing of relevant supports that are ongoing and open to them.

On 13 December 2022 Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The plan provides, inter alia, for the establishment of a €10 million fund to further support people in, or at risk of, energy poverty this winter and into 2023. This is in addition to the existing sources of support, such as the supplier hardship funds or the Additional Needs Payment scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection. The objective of the new fund is to provide a further safeguard to help people who may not be able to access other sources of assistance.

My Department will work with suppliers, relevant public bodies and NGOs to provide financial support to citizens experiencing difficulties meeting their energy costs this winter, including Pay As You Go gas and electricity customers. The new fund will be available to bolster hardship funds which most suppliers have in place. People are advised to engage with their suppliers directly or contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) or ALONE, who can advocate on their behalf to suppliers.

Currently my Department is considering a range of options to target this fund to vulnerable groups including those in mobile homes.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) the independent energy regulator. 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. It is a function of the CRU to regulate the retail electricity market.

In 2017 CRU published a review of competition in the retail electricity and gas markets, it is available at: Review of Competition in the Electricity and Gas Retail Markets | CRU.ie.

The CRU accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU also has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members oireachtas@cru.ie.