ESB resists pressure to give cuts to customers in arrears

ESB Electric Ireland is resisting calls from consumer groups and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton to reverse its decision to exclude customers in arrears from new price plans which offer discounts of up to 17% on electricity bills.

The company defended its new range of discount tariffs for electricity, gas and dual products amid criticism that the best rates would be unavailable to vulnerable members of society who may have fallen into arrears.

However, ESB Electric Ireland said it would continue to “monitor the situation”. The company said existing customers in arrears, who are also social welfare recipients, can still avail of discounts of up to 9% by signing up for the An Post Household Budget Scheme which commits them to make a minimum payment of €15 per week.

Such customers can obtain a 4% discount on their electricity bill, plus another 3% if they sign up for gas on direct debit terms and a further 2% if they agree to receive online billing.

A company spokesperson said customers who are in arrears also become immediately eligible for the full range of discounts once they put their accounts in order.

ESB Electric Ireland also confirmed that it operates no restrictions on new customers who may be in arrears with other suppliers.

The firm estimates that 150,000 of its customers are in arrears at any one stage.

Meanwhile, the Irish Postmasters’ Union claimed the requirement for customers to pay by direct debit and move to online billing to avail of discounts would disadvantage older people and the unemployed.

IPU general secretary Brian McGann pointed out that cash-strapped customers who paid their bills in weekly instalments of €5-€10 would now have to sign up to a minimum weekly payment of €15 to avail of discounts.

However, an ESB Electric Ireland spokesperson said customers who didn’t have the facility for online billing themselves could designate another family member to receive bills online.