Hard hit households have been thumped again with yet another energy price hike.
Gas and electricity supplier Energia yesterday announced fresh increases of up to €426-a-year extra.
The company said it will raise home energy prices from April 25 – when average bills will go up by 15%.
Read more: Cost of living crisis will 'intensify' with war economy looming
This means an average €3.45 weekly rise (€180-a-year extra) for gas customers, an average €4.75 weekly increase (€247-a-year extra) for electricity customers, and an average €8.20 weekly increase (€426-a-year extra) for dual fuel customers.
It is the second blow in as many weeks for families across the country, following last week’s price hike by Bord Gais Energy – which is raising its average electricity bills from April 15 by 27% (€340-a-year extra) and average gas bills up by 39% (€350-a- year extra).
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said increasing costs were having a “very tough impact on a lot of other people, particularly people on low incomes”.
Energia said while the company “makes every effort to deliver the best possible value to customers”, the increases to home energy prices are due to “increased external market costs”.
Energia director Andy Meagher said: “The wholesale cost of gas and electricity has risen substantially over recent months.
“We are very conscious that these global issues impact our customers locally, and we remain committed to delivering the very best value and service.
“As such, we have done our best to absorb the increases in wholesale and commodity costs but these price changes are unavoidable.
“Our customer care team is available to support those customers experiencing difficulties and we also partner with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service to provide advice and support.”
Industry analysts expect wholesale energy prices to remain high
until next year, meaning expensive household energy bills this winter.
The Government has sought to help worst hit families with a €125 Fuel Allowance increase and by cutting 15c per litre off diesel prices and 20c per litre off petrol costs and it has announced a €200 electricity credit.
But officials warned: “The Government may not be [able] to shield consumers from the full impact of increases.”
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
Read more: Ireland 'could see fuel rationing and supermarket prices rocketing' warns economists
Read more: The 'vampire devices' that cause electricity bills to spike - and how you can cut down on your bills
