Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
162. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will expand the definition of "vulnerable customer" when it comes to energy to include financial vulnerability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71563/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe definition of Vulnerable Customers is currently set out in Regulation 2 of Statutory Instrument 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. This places a requirement on suppliers to develop a Code of Practice for Vulnerable Customers. These rules are in place to ensure that customers experience a high standard of protection when interacting with energy suppliers.
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, 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, which is funded by my Department, 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.
