131. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the costs incurred by his Department in the development, creation and completion of the energy security review. [42893/24]

The Energy Security Package was published last November, 2023.

As I outlined in the Report over the course of two years my Department has undertaken a review of our Energy Security policies, with a particular focus on the Electricity and Gas sectors. In 2022, I engaged Mr Dermot McCarthy, former Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, to carry out an Independent Review on the Security of Electricity Supply, which contributed directly to the actions outlined in the package. The Department received over 450 responses to our consultation on our Security of Supply of Ireland’s Electricity and Natural Gas Systems. The review also takes account of the review by the IEA of Ireland.

As outlined at the time of publication I confirmed that security of supply review will be concluded following the consideration by Government on the optimal approach to deliver a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve.

I have also requested my Department to carry out additional research into the areas of interconnection and electricity storage.

The direct additional expenditure incurred up to the publication of the report in November 2023 was €938,056.17. This cost does not take account of the direct work of the staff in my Department and across Government on the project. This expenditure also does not take account any cost incurred since November 2023 on the follow on work streams required to conclude the review of energy security.