AQW 26400/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 30/04/2025
Answered On Date: 12/05/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any work her Department has undertaken to reduce household energy bills for those with essential medical equipment in their homes since the beginning of the 2022-2027 Assembly mandate.

Answer:

My Department along with the Utility Regulator (UR) and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) continues to work closely to ensure that energy is affordable for all consumers. The Path to Net Zero Energy Strategy aims to move away from the imported fossil fuels that put us in the position of a “price-taker”. One of the key objectives of the strategy is to ensure that all consumers, business and domestic, have access to essential and affordable energy to enable an adequate standard of competitiveness. The focus is now on priorities for delivery to ensure that we maximise the benefits for our society and economy as soon as possible. Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) offer a medical customer care information service to customers who are dependent on life supporting equipment. If they use electrical equipment that is vital to their health, they can register with NIE Networks to receive up-to-date information during a power cut or interruption to your supply. They can register for this service on the NIE Networks website (Register for NIE's critical care service | Northern Ireland Electricity Networks) or by calling NIE Network’s customer helpline on 03457 643 643.