A temperature limit in public buildings is one of the options included in an energy reduction plan to be considered by Cabinet today.

Ministers will discuss a range of measures in response to the cost-of-living crisis, with a reduction in the cost of lighting and heating public buildings high on the agenda.

The measures will be announced as part of Budget 2023 on September 27th.

Reports this morning suggest a 19C maximum temperature limit for public buildings will be agreed – alongside new rules concerning turning off all lights outside working hours.

Irish Daily Mail Political Correspondent Craig Hughes said public buildings will be high on the agenda.

“Sources are telling me that they expect the memo to kind of bring us in line with France and Germany, but it remains to be seen how close we get to them,” he said.

“In Germany for example, public buildings will only be able to dispense cold water so it remains to be seen whether it gets to that level of not,” he said.

“But the nuts and bolts of it were being trashed out last night and we expect it to be approved by Cabinet today.”

Ministers will also discuss EU plans for a windfall tax in a bid to reduce energy prices.

EU energy ministers are meeting on Friday to discuss the plan, which is expected to see excess revenues taken from non-gas-based energy companies and used to reduce spiralling prices.