AQW 4623/22-27

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 13/10/2022
Answered On Date: 19/10/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) what action he has taken to further progress the Energy Strategy; and (ii) for his assessment of the impact a vacancy in the ministerial office post 28 October 2022 will have on the Strategy.

Answer:

The Energy Strategy – The Path to Net Zero Energy, continues to progress since its publication in December 2021. Delivery of the Energy Strategy is governed by the Energy Strategy Programme Board, which is chaired by DfE’s Permanent Secretary and consists of members from DfC, DfI, DAERA, DoF and TEO. The Energy Strategy Programme board has met 3 times in 2022.

Monthly checkpoint meetings are held involving the leads for the delivery of the Energy Strategy Action Plan 2022, which has 22 key Actions for priority attention during this calender year. My Department has committed to publish a report in Q1 of 2023 to demonstrate progress against the 22 Actions, as well as ongoing work to publish an Action Plan for 2023 to further progress the Energy Strategy.

Should there not be a Minister in place after 28th October 2022, senior officials will continue to carry out departmental functions and run public services, operating within the scope of the policy direction set by the outgoing Minister.