Quarter of a million households in arrears on electricity bills 

Charities say many customers are struggling to manage their bills, in spite of energy credits and falling prices. File picture

Just under a quarter of a million households in Ireland are in arrears on their electricity bills, while 1,385 were disconnected for non-payment last year — despite Government energy credits and falling rates.

More than one in five gas customers are in arrears, rising by more than 10% last year.

The full-year figures on electricity and gas arrears from energy regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), displays a pattern where there are fewer numbers of customers in arrears during the winter months into spring while the Government’s energy credits were still in effect before rising significantly once they come to an end.

In January 2023, there were 183,506 electricity customers in arrears. This began to rise significantly from May, reaching a high of 278,403 households in November.

However, this figure then dropped to 243,644 households in December, the same month that the first of the Government’s three €150 payments announced in Budget 2024 came into effect.

During the energy crisis, the number of households in arrears on their electricity bills peaked in the first quarter of 2022 at 283,125.

Since then, it has regularly fluctuated but has not fallen below 200,000 at the end of any quarter.

In terms of gas customers, the number of households in arrears rose significantly in 2023 compared to previous years, ending at 153,161.

Darragh Cassidy, head of communications at Bonkers.ie, said the gas figures “are a bit concerning still”.

“Although there was a drop of almost 7,000 over the quarter, 22% of households, or over 153,000, are still in arrears, which is significantly above the 15% to 16% level that was normal before the energy crisis kicked off,” he said. 

“The lack of a gas credit is likely the main reason for this.

“Looking forward, all the major suppliers recently announced a second round of price cuts, which are coming into effect over the next few weeks and this should alleviate the pressure on households.

"A third round of cuts of another 10% to 20% is very likely before the end of the year.” 

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St Vincent de Paul said the numbers in arrears have been an ongoing concern and the figures very much mirror the situation on the ground.

While recent price cuts have been welcome, bills for households across the country are still very high.

“First and foremost, we need to see suppliers continue to pass on reductions in wholesale gas to customers so that people can more easily afford ongoing usage while addressing their arrears,” the charity's head of social justice Dr Tricia Keilthy said.

We also want to see the introduction of processes to ensure the affordability of payment plans for those in arrears.

"This should be done in conjunction with debt relief or supplier hardship funds for customers in financial distress.

"For anyone worried about arrears, we encourage people to get in touch with their supplier, SVP, or MABS who can offer assistance."

Sinn Féin senator and climate justice spokesperson Lynn Boylan said the figures are “deeply concerning” and households are being “left behind”.

“As energy companies are enjoying significant profits, the Government shouldn’t continue to sit on its hands and should give the regulator the teeth that it requires to genuinely protect customers,” she said.