30th January 2026
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment today welcomed the publication by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) of its Impact Assessment Report 2021–2024, which estimates that its competition and consumer protection interventions and consumer information and advice services delivered €682 million in direct financial benefits to consumers over the four‑year period.
The report finds that these benefits were achieved at a total cost of approximately €32 million, representing a consumer benefit‑to‑cost-ratio of 21:1, and demonstrates the significant value for money delivered by the CCPC’s enforcement and consumer protection work.
The assessment shows that competition law enforcement accounted for €463 million of the estimated benefits, driven by antitrust and merger control interventions, while consumer protection measures delivered a further €220 million, including enforcement actions and the provision of consumer advice and information.
The Report notes that the estimates are conservative, as they rely on cautious assumptions, some impactful interventions were excluded due to data constraints, and they do not capture wider deterrence effects, meaning the true benefit to consumers is likely to be considerably higher.
Welcoming the publication of the report, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said:
“This independent assessment demonstrates the real and tangible benefits that strong competition enforcement and consumer protection deliver for people across Ireland. By protecting consumers and promoting fair competition, the CCPC plays a vital role in strengthening trust in markets and supporting sustainable economic growth.”
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smythadded:
“The findings underline the importance of robust regulatory oversight and targeted enforcement. Ensuring that markets work fairly and competitively is central to supporting households and businesses alike, and this report shows that the CCPC continues to deliver significant value for consumers.”
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. For more information visit: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Back to Department News