Press release
Minister Smyth opens Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State for Communications and the Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth, will today open the Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum in Dublin city centre. The forum is the first plenary session to ensure stakeholders’ voices are heard throughout the Energy Poverty Action Plan’s annual report process. It provides an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration between policy makers and stakeholders, and will welcome representatives from across NGOs, industry, and public bodies.
The Energy Poverty Action Plan was published in December 2022. The plan set out the range of measures implemented across Government during winter 2022/23, as well as the longer-term policies being enacted to ensure that people most at risk of energy poverty can adequately heat and power their homes. A cross-departmental and inter-agency Steering Group was established to develop, implement and oversee the policies and measures detailed in the Action Plan. A central part of this work was to facilitate structured, whole of government engagement with key stakeholders. Today’s event aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, assess progress to date, and generate new ideas to combat energy poverty.
Speaking ahead of the forum’s opening, Minister Smyth said:
"Energy poverty is a serious issue in Ireland today and one that I and this government are determined to meet head-on. It’s through events such as today’s Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum that we can learn what are the real concerns of the stakeholders involved in this area and how best to tackle them. Our priority is to create a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone in this country."
The forum will feature a comprehensive agenda designed to facilitate in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing, consisting of presentations, workshops, and panel discussions. Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights from those with expertise in the areas of energy poverty and affordability, share their own experiences and make suggestions for future policy options and support measures. By working together, participants will explore new strategies and solutions that can help tackle energy poverty and create a more equitable and sustainable future for all. The outputs from the day will help inform government policy and revisions to a future Energy Poverty Action Plan.
To access the Energy Poverty Action Plan visit the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website.