Consultation
Consultation on the Revised Energy Poverty Action Plan
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Submissions closed
Last updated on
The aim of this consultation is to gather feedback on the existing Energy Poverty Action Plan and seek views to assist in the development of a revised Action Plan. Submissions can be made using our online platform.
The Energy Poverty Action Plan, approved by Government in December 2022, set out the range of measures implemented, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs were supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes over winter 2022/23. The implementation of the Action Plan has been monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications and including representatives from the Departments of Social Protection, Housing, Finance, Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Health and Rural & Community Development, along with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the HSE.
The measures contained in the Action Plan fall into two overarching categories – near term, where the focus was on supporting people to get through winter 2022/23 and medium term with the focus on using energy efficiency upgrades to help tackle the root causes of energy poverty and ensure an inclusive and just transition to net zero.
While significant progress has been made against these actions, the continued high cost of energy resulted in additional cost-of-living measures introduced in February 2023 and in Budget 2024. As a result, it is timely that the existing Action Plan is reviewed and revised.
We are proposing to develop a revised Energy Poverty Action Plan, the purpose of which is to once again set out a range of clear, timebound actions aimed at tackling energy poverty with appropriate governance and evaluation. It is intended that the Plan will build on and continue the policies and actions that have been driven to date by the existing Plan, informed by stakeholder input, where appropriate.
In addition, on 23 October 2023, the EU Commission published 25 Recommendations to tackle Energy Poverty across the EU. These recommendations focus on a number of key areas including a legal framework, affordability and access to energy, governance, communications, energy efficiency, access to renewables, skills and financing to tackle energy poverty.
We intend to incorporate these recommendations into the revised Action Plan and to utilise these as a measurement framework going forward.
As committed in the Energy Poverty Action Plan, a central work of the Steering Group is to provide structured, whole of Government engagement with stakeholders.
The Steering Group have developed a set of questions at the following CiviQ link which aim to capture information from stakeholders to assist with the development of a revised Action Plan.
The closing date for submissions has been extended to 5.30pm on Wednesday, 15 May 2024.
If you would like to complete the consultation in hard copy format, please contact us by email at repr@decc.gov.ie or by post at
Retail Energy Policy and Regulation Division
Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
29 – 31 Adelaide Road,
Dublin,
D02 X285
We are committed to engaging with stakeholders in a clear, open and transparent manner. Any person or organisation can make a submission in relation to this consultation. We will consider all submissions and feedback before we publish the final version of the revised Energy Poverty Action Plan.
Your response to this consultation is subject to:
- the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI)
- the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2018 (AIE)
- the Data Protection Act 2018
We intend to publish the contents of all submissions received to our consultations on our website. We will redact (remove) personal data before publication.
In responding to this consultation, clearly indicate where your response contains any information which you would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published. This can include:
- personal information
- commercially sensitive information
- confidential information
In addition, by responding to this consultation, you will receive an invitation to our upcoming Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum, where a draft of the revised Action Plan will be previewed and discussed. This event is due to be held in Q2 2024.
We would like to draw your attention to our Data Privacy Notice which explains:
- how and when we collect personal data
- why we do so
- how we treat this information
- your rights in relation to the collection of personal information
- how you can exercise those rights