Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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213. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he took the decision to dispense with a revised Energy Poverty Action Plan in favour of advancing an Energy Affordability Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38728/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has made a number of important commitments to address the continued high cost of energy, while accelerating the decarbonisation of Ireland's energy system. The Programme for Government acknowledges the pressures on households and businesses caused by high energy costs.

The Energy Poverty Action Plan 2022 set out the range of measures implemented, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs were supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes over winter 2022/23. The implementation of the Action Plan has been monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department. An Annual Report outlining progress under the various actions in the Plan was published in May 2024 and is available on gov.ie.

In June 2025, my Department formed a National Energy Affordability Taskforce 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 renewable energy.

The formation of the Taskforce and the publication of an Affordability Action Plan provides an opportunity to consider the broad range of factors which influence energy costs, and potential supports to those most vulnerable to high energy costs. It will include targeted measures to support households in energy poverty to meet the cost of energy, as well as structural reforms within the energy sector to lower costs for households and businesses.

These measures will be informed by the ongoing work being undertaken by officials within my Department and among relevant stakeholders to support households most vulnerable to energy poverty.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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214. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for the timeline for the publication of the Energy Affordability Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38729/25]