New Government taskforce to devise plan to tackle Ireland's sky-high energy bills
A new Government taskforce will draw up an interim plan on ways to ease energy costs for households.
Minister for climate, energy and the environment Darragh O'Brien this week chaired the first meeting of the new National Energy Affordability Taskforce, which aims to tackle the sky-high energy costs for consumers in Ireland.
The Taoiseach has previously signalled an end to energy credits, which saw all households receive money off their electricity bills in previous years, with no plans to include it in the next Budget.
New research has revealed that Ireland is the second most expensive country in the EU, with households here having some of the most expensive energy bills in Europe.
'I understand that many families and businesses are feeling the pressure of current energy prices,' Mr O'Brien said.
'We need to adopt policies which will benefit consumers in the near term and implement reforms to ensure that energy system costs are fairly distributed in the years ahead.'
As well as measures to include in Budget 2026, the taskforce has also been asked to identify structural reforms that could be made in the Irish energy sector and to publish a new national energy affordability plan.
Included on the taskforce are civil servants from several government departments as well as representatives from the energy regulator, ESB Networks and Eirgrid.
Mr O'Brien added: 'The taskforce will be a crucial element of the Government's efforts to improve national competitiveness, protect the most vulnerable within society from rising energy costs and ensure that Irish consumers benefit from the energy transition.'
Focus Ireland initiative
Separately, Friday saw the announcement of a new arrangement between Bord Gáis and the homeless charity Focus Ireland for some tenants to receive free hot water through surplus renewable energy.
The EnergyCloud initiative has seen 45 smart devices installed in Focus Ireland homes in Finglas and Dungarvan.
The devices will automatically trigger hot water production when surplus wind energy is available that will reduce waste and cut energy bills.
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