One in seven households struggle with energy bills as ESRI urges targeted supports

Targeted energy supports could cost far less than universal credits, as one in seven households struggle with bills. File picture

Targeted supports for households unable to keep their homes warm and the lights on would cost the Government hundreds of millions of euro less than the universal credits rolled out in recent years, new research suggests.

Furthermore, the research found that one in seven households in Ireland cannot afford to keep their home warm or pay their energy bills in full.