Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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152. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to provide an update on his engagement with Ireland's major energy providers, including the meeting held on 26 September 2025; to outline any outcomes or commitments arising from that discussion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59713/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister, I meet with a range of stakeholders on important topics including energy prices, and I can confirm that I have met with both the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act, and energy suppliers since being appointed as Minister. On 26 September 2025, I met with the four biggest energy suppliers in Ireland, Electric Ireland, Bord Gáis, SSE Airtricity, and Energia. In addition to my interactions, my officials meet with suppliers on a regular basis and a key message to them is the critical importance of prices being reduced as soon as possible.

Following my engagement with the energy suppliers, I have received confirmation that hardship funds for those struggling to meet their energy costs will be made available to households this winter.

The CRU has also published enhanced customer protection measures for Winter 2025/2026. For the upcoming Winter period, some of the key customer protection measures that will remain in place include a disconnection moratorium for reasons of non-payment, minimum timelines for debt repayment plans, discounted tariffs for financial hardship meter customers, and promotion by energy suppliers of the vulnerable customer register. This is in addition to the existing sources of support, such as the Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package and Additional Needs Payment Scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection.

In June of this year, my Department established 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. The first item in the taskforce work programme was the development of an interim report, which included measures for consideration to support customers in the coming Winter, to inform Budget 2026 discussions. This report is available on Gov.ie. The taskforce will now proceed with further work to develop the Action Plan, including a programme of public consultation and stakeholder engagement. The Action Plan will be published in 2026.