Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

112. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the work his Department has undertaken as part of the energy poverty steering group; the number of times this group as met since its establishment in August 2022; the actions to date from these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29786/24]

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

The Energy Poverty Steering Group was established in August 2022 and has met 8 times formally as a group but has also held a number of bilateral meetings. The Steering Group has overseen implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan.

An Annual Report outlining progress under the various actions in the Energy Poverty Action Plan was published in May 2024 and is available on gov.ie.

Headline achievements since December 2022 have included the implementation of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes II and III, through which 2.2 million households received €1,050 between November 2022 and April 2024 at an approximate total cost of €2 billion, the completion of 2,445 retrofits through the Local Authority Retrofit Programme, and delivery of approximately 5,900 free upgrades for energy poor homes under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, with final expenditure in 2023 amounting to €158 million.

As part of the work of the Steering Group, the inaugural Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum was held on 7 July 2023. The Steering Group launched a consultation to inform the development of a revised Energy Poverty Action Plan in March 2024. The second Energy Poverty Forum was held on Monday 24 June and provided another opportunity for stakeholders to discuss proposed actions for inclusion in the revised Plan, due for publication in the coming months.

These measures, along with others in the Plan, have helped to ensure that despite the unprecedented rise in Energy costs experienced arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, households in Ireland have been supported by this Government to meet their energy costs, and that homes have been warmer and more comfortable.