Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the Government plans to publish the next Fuel Poverty Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19896/25]

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in reference to the Programme for Government commitment to explore legislation to divert surplus renewable energy to homes in fuel poverty, if a timeline has been established for the introduction of such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s Climate Action Plans recognise the need for the electricity sector to become more adaptable and flexible, in response to the ever-increasing volume of distributed renewable energy sources on the grid. To ensure reliability in such a distributed energy system, as well as to minimise the network upgrades (and costs for all) needed to accommodate peaks in demand, it will be vital to align our electricity use with periods of plentiful, low-cost renewable generation. Ireland’s citizens (including energy poor and vulnerable households) can play a central role in this transition by flexibly managing their energy assets in response to the level of renewable energy on the grid and, by doing so, can lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

Furthermore, my Department is leading a new Cross Government Energy Affordability Taskforce which aims to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, operating within the broader policy context set by the Programme for Government and Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. A key output of this Taskforce will be to develop and publish an Energy Affordability Action Plan which will identify a comprehensive range of solutions including demand-side solutions for households to allow them to adjust their energy demand and avail of low cost, or otherwise surplus renewable energy.