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

210. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the dates he has met each energy supplier in Ireland, by energy supplier; the issues discussed; if he has plans to meet them in the future; and the specific dates by energy supplier, in tabular form. [59439/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

216. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding any actions he has taken to engage with energy supply companies regarding the high charges they put on customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59790/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 216 together.

The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime, wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. The CRU ceased price setting for electricity and gas in 2011 and 2014 respectively.

Therefore, the setting of prices and charges is a commercial matter for individual supply companies, with each such company having its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. Within a competitive environment, providers also have costs such as staffing, tax, infrastructure, and cost of network tariffs which, in turn, affects end users’ bills.

This being said, 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.

In Budget 2026, Government approved an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity until 31 December 2030. This had traditionally been 13.5% but has been 9% since 2022 in response to the energy price crisis. This is in addition to an increase to the fuel allowance payment from January 2026, providing an additional €140 during the annual fuel allowance season.

Following engagement with the four largest energy suppliers, Bord Gáis, Electric Ireland, Energia and SSE Airtricity on 26 September, I have received confirmation that hardship funds for those struggling to be meet their energy costs will be made available to households this winter.

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.

A key objective of this taskforce is to develop 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.