Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
263. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps he is taking to make it easier for customers to change energy suppliers; the way in which he is combating suppliers making this process unnecessarily difficult and preventing an authorised third party from acting on a customer’s behalf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15147/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSwitching energy providers in Ireland's competitive market can lead to households potentially saving hundreds of euros annually by switching from standard tariffs to the cheapest deals. Greater levels of switching between electricity providers increases competitiveness in the market which in turn pushes prices down as suppliers compete for customers. Regular switching, ideally every 12 months, helps customers access discounted rates and avoid the higher standard rates offered after introductory periods.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) advises that accredited price comparison websites can be used to help consumers get the best deal. More information around the switching process can be found here: www.cru.ie/consumer-information/switch-supplier/
The CRU monitors and publishes switching reports and runs an information campaign each year to promote switching. Growing public awareness of the cost savings associated with switching, and of the potential to save money through switching to a time-of-use tariff and switching consumption to off-peak periods, has the potential to reduce a households’ energy bills.
The most recent Report is available at cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com/documents/CRU202609_Change_of_Supplier_November_2025_Report.pdf. This shows that over 90,500 households switched electricity suppliers during October and November of last year.
The CRU Electricity and Gas Supplier Handbook sets out the Code of Practice on billing and the requirements placed on suppliers. In particular, suppliers must ensure that the consumption information provided to the customer for the current billing period should be made available for comparison on an aggregate basis for the same billing period in the previous year, where there is sufficient historical billing information to provide such a comparison.
Additionally, the Deputy may wish to note that the CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members which enables them to raise day to day questions on regulatory matters directly to the CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
