HOUSEHOLD ENERGY EXPENDITURES: POLICY RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET SURVEY. ESRI Policy Research Series. 2000

In principle, energy policy could be focused on any of several, probably not entirely compatible, objectives or, perhaps more realistically, could seek a balance between them. The objectives could include: minimisation of national energy costs; maintaining maximum security of supply; minimising negative externalities, especially damage to the environment; safeguarding household welfare and perhaps even maintaining employment in regions very dependent on energy utilities. As already said, the environmental aspect seems currently dominant and the specifications of the Kyoto agreement, to which the EU is party, could already be considered to commit Ireland to attaining quite restrictive levels of carbon dioxide emissions by 2009-12. But measures to achieve environmental welfare by 2009-12. But measures to achieve environmental welfare could easily conflict with the other objectives. However, this paper will not try to address the formidable task of determining optimum energy policy. The paper is largely an elicitation of whatever information the Household Budget Survey can provide about key parameters and the relationships in the household energy sector. This will at least provide some building blocks for future policy analysis