Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
28. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment whether his Department is preparing a contingency plan to shield households from higher electricity prices in the future due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29181/26]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial and liberalised. Price setting by electricity suppliers is, therefore, a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. It is important to note that, to date, there has not been any increase to domestic electricity or gas costs since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East.
The Government has taken, and is taking, action to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy. At this point, the €750 million intervention by the Irish Government is one of the more significant in the EU.
This was in addition to the range of measures in Budget 2026 aimed at helping households with energy costs including:
• an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity, saving households up to €100 per year;
• enhanced social protection payments, including an increase to the Fuel Allowance rate to €38 per week and an expansion in the eligibility rules; and
• a record allocation of €640 million for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland retrofit schemes.
A range of protections are in place for customers experiencing difficulties in paying their bills. Anyone who is struggling with their bill is strongly encouraged to engage with their supplier. Suppliers will not disconnect customers that engage with them.
The Department of Social Protection can also provide support through the Additional Needs Payment to help households meet expenses, including those who face difficulties with fuel bills.
As Minister, I have engaged with the four biggest energy retailers in recent months to ensure that hardship funds and focused measures are in place for any customers who find themselves in difficulty.
I also recently wrote to retail electricity and gas suppliers, as well as fuel suppliers, to emphasise the importance of reducing the exposure for Irish consumers from the price shocks that global uncertainty can create.
A cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) was established last June to identify and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. A number of meetings of the NEAT have been chaired by my Department in recent weeks to discuss these developments. The first report of NEAT, published last November, helped to inform key aspects of Budget 2026. The NEAT is now preparing an Energy Affordability Action Plan that will be completed in Q3 of this year.
