Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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161. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the actions his Department is undertaking to address the energy price increases that Irish households are facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30220/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive and are overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Price setting by energy suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned.

The Government has made a number of important commitments in respect of addressing the continued high cost of energy. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward taxation measures to help contain energy costs.

Government approved an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity by a further six months to October 2025 at an estimated cost of €85 million with the net benefit to households from 1 May to 31 October being approximately €26.60 with respect to electricity and €20.28 with respect to gas. This is traditionally 13.5% but has been 9% since 2022 in response to the energy price crisis.

My Department has established a Cross Government Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. This Taskforce will be responsible for drafting an Energy Affordability Action Plan and monitoring its implementation.