Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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98. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he has decided to replace the proposed Energy Poverty Action Plan with an Energy Affordability Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48561/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 measures to contain energy costs and tackle energy poverty.

Government has introduced a suite of measures over recent years to help households and businesses deal with the cost of energy. For example, government recently 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.

In June 2025, my Department established the National 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. Taskforce members are currently working to finalise the preparation of an interim report, which will set out measures for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process.

This is in advance of further analysis and the publication of the Energy Affordability Action Plan, which will include a broad review of cost drivers in the energy sector, and which will incorporate the work that has been done to date on energy poverty, including feedback from the consultation and stakeholder forum conducted in 2024. Specific engagement and measures to address those most at risk of energy poverty will also be a feature of the plan.