28^th June, 2010.

The Secretary,

Board of Management and

School Principal in

each Community and Comprehensive School.

Members of the Executive and Trustees of ACCS.

ACCS/Info Bulletin 15/10

Re: Information from the DES in respect of Gas Pricing for schools.

The clarification outlined below has now been received from the Commission for Energy Regulation on the gas pricing structure for schools

The Irish natural gas market has been fully opened up to competition since July 2007.  Since that date all customers are eligible to switch gas supplier.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) – the independent electricity and gas regulator – has responsibility for the regulation of charges in the gas market including tariffs to final customers.

The regulatory arrangements which the CER has in place aim to create a competitive, transparent retail market offering real value to customers.

For the purposes of regulation the Irish gas market is broken into a number of segments ranging from the very large industrial users (such as electricity generation plants) to residential consumers.  Segment categorisation is based on annual consumption levels and is not governed by the type of business or activity.  Consequently, the annual consumption of a school determines whether the residential tariff or the commercial tariff formula will apply.

School authorities should be aware that benefits may be gained by “shopping around” for gas suppliers in order to obtain best value for money.  As the Irish gas market becomes more competitive further suppliers may emerge.  Up-to-date information on the market is available on the CER website at www.cer.ie

The following licensed gas suppliers are currently in a position to supply gas to schools:

Is mise,

le mór mheas,

____________________

Ciarán Flynn,

GENERAL SECRETARY.