Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
214. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department will produce a targeted arrears reduction plan for households facing long-term energy debt, including supports for at-risk customers, actions to prevent the escalation of arrears, and the timeline for transitioning from universal energy credits to targeted supports. [64763/25]
View answerElectricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime, wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. They are overseen by the independent regulator, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Price setting by energy suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned.
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.
We have already acted on that commitment through:
• an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to electricity and gas to the end of 2030;
• an increase in the Fuel Allowance payment by €5 to €38 per week, equating to an increase of more than 15% from January 2026. This will provide an additional €140 to over 460,000 recipients during the annual fuel allowance season. The payment has also been expanded to include those in receipt of the Working Family Payment; and
• a record capital allocation, under Budget 2026, of €558 million for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme, to support the delivery of our National Retrofit Plan. This is an €89 million increase on last year’s Budget allocation. It means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. Analysis carried out by my Department and the SEAI indicates that a household can save between €750 and €1,120 per year by installing a deep package of measures.
I also recently met with the four largest energy suppliers. Following these constructive meetings, the suppliers committed to ensuring that hardship funds and focused measures are in place for any customers who may find themselves in difficulty this winter.
My Department has also established a cross-Government 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. The taskforce has developed an interim report, which set out measures for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process. This report has been published on Gov.ie, in advance of further analysis and the publication of the Energy Affordability Action Plan in 2026.
