Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2025
219. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the expansion of the definition of ‘vulnerable customers’ to include financially vulnerable customers as committed to in the previous Energy Poverty Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe definition of Vulnerable Customers is currently set out in Regulation 2 of Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 463/2011. Under this Regulation, energy suppliers must establish and maintain:
• a Priority Services Register of customers critically dependent on electrically powered equipment, which shall include but is not limited to life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment; and
• a Special Services Register of customers particularly vulnerable to disconnection during winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual or mental health.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) sets out the minimum service requirements, including customer protection measures, that energy suppliers must adhere to in their dealings with energy customers in the CRU Supplier Handbook. These rules are in place to ensure that customers experience a high standard of protection when interacting with energy suppliers. As part of its consumer protection role the CRU sets out obligations on suppliers through the Electricity and Gas Supplier Handbook and includes a Code of Practice on Vulnerable Customers.
The customer protections are complemented by the supplier led Energy Engage Code that provides a further level of security for domestic electricity and gas customers. This Code encourages customers, who are having difficulty in paying a bill, to engage with their supplier regarding the management of debt. Under this code, suppliers will not disconnect customers who engage with them and must provide every opportunity to customers to avoid disconnection.
The ESRI, as part of the Energy Policy Research Centre (EPRC), is conducting research to improve the measurement and monitoring of energy poverty in Ireland and provide insights that enhance policy design to protect vulnerable households. The ESRI research programme will lead to the development of a more effective way of measuring energy poverty that combines income, expenditure on energy, and energy efficiency of the home. This research programme is expected to run until June 2026. Key elements of the work plan include the identification of vulnerable populations, and the factors that increase the risk of falling into energy poverty.
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 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.
