Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:109. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether he will apply a levy on data centres in order to fund a universal €500 energy credit. [26892/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 April 2026
Ceisteanna (109)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government outlines the Government's policy position in relation energy, housing, climate, FDI growth and the many other areas. It reflects the balance between the many opportunities and challenges facing the country and the actions that will be taken over the lifetime of this Government. It recognises that increased and unprecedented investment and delivery in our grid, and expanding our energy generation capacity, are key priorities.
Notwithstanding this, the Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses. Government has introduced a suite of measures over recent years to help households and businesses deal with the cost of energy, including taxation and energy incentives, and accelerating the rollout of more renewable energy infrastructure to support a decarbonised electricity system. My Department has also established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement further measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses.
Data centres are critical infrastructure for our modern economy, economic growth, and the delivery of public services. They provide the foundation for almost all online aspects of our lives. The Government is committed to delivering a balanced approach to facilitate additional demand for energy by data centres while also ensuring the competitiveness of our energy system to enhance security and affordability for consumers and businesses. To this end, the Large Energy User Action Plan published in January will guide the sustainable development of strategically significant energy intensive industries, including data centres, in alignment with Ireland’s broader Government objectives. In addition, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) 2025 Large Energy Users Connection Policy provides increased transparency in respect of new data centre connection obligations establishing a pathway for connection that addresses security of supply and network constraint considerations, while promoting Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions.
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas retail markets is assigned to the CRU. Prices are set by all suppliers based on commercial and operational considerations. Electricity network tariffs recover the costs of developing, operating and maintaining the network from users connected to the electricity system. The CRU have commenced an electricity network tariff review which will consider the potential structural reviews to ensure continued equitable balance across different user groups.
There are no plans to apply a levy on data centres in order to fund a universal €500 energy credit.