Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

100. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the analysis that has been carried out on the cost of energy for households between 2022 and to date in 2025; the measures he is taking to reduce them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44561/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

101. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the energy market reforms he is considering to reduce the cost of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44562/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

102. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason Irish energy prices are so high compared to other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44563/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 to 102, inclusive, together.

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.

Currently, weighted market average for estimate annual bills is €1,802 for electricity and €1,536 for gas. There has been no significant change in these figures since January 2024. These figures are, however, 19% and 18% lower than their peak in September 2023.

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.

Earlier this year, 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.

The National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) has been established by my Department 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. The core objectives of the Taskforce include drafting an interim plan identifying measures to support energy consumers in advance of Budget 2026, and an Energy Affordability Action plan, which will examine measures and structural reforms to lower costs for households and businesses.