Energy watchdog working on waiver for pay-as-you-go customers to switch to bill pay

The fee for switching to a bill plan can be as high as €160 in some cases and Micheál Martin told Leaders' Questions that the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is examining a method to ensure companies waive the fee. File photo

Ireland's utilities watchdog is working on plans to waive the fee for pay-as-you-go energy customers to switch to bill pay, the Taoiseach has told the Dáil.

Customers on self-pay meters are not included in the extended disconnections moratorium, which will run until March, with the Government facing calls to ensure that they don't "self-disconnect" when their €20 overdraft is reached.