Energy companies under fire over deposit demands

BORD GÁIS and the ESB have come under fire for what has been described as an “abuse of a position of dominance” for asking vulnerable families for upfront cash payments of €400 and €300, respectively, before making new connections.

The gas company will not connect homes, which have not had a previous account with them, to the network without a security deposit of €200 from direct debit payers. However, anyone who cannot pay by direct debit has to pay double that before they can be connected to the gas system.

Meanwhile, the ESB demands a €300 deposit from new account holders before making an electrical connection to a home, if the customer cannot pay through their bank account.