One in five household gas customers is now behind on their bill, sparking ‘major concerns’.
Sinn Fein climate justice spokesperson Lynn Boylan requested the latest arrears figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities through the Joint Committee on Climate Action.
They show that of the 690,000 who rely on gas to heat their homes, 139,785 were in arrears at the end of December rising to 152,276 by the end of February.
Read more: Energy schemes 'lock' vulnerable into costly oil and gas heating says senator
Senator Boylan described the 9 per cent jump as “a major cause for concern” but fears it’s “just the tip of the iceberg as astronomical bills continue to land on doormats”.
She said: “They indicate that more and more households are struggling to keep up with the cost of their energy bills.
“But the figures only tell part of the story because there are many more who are simply going without gas – self disconnecting – because they can’t afford it.”
Senator Boylan slammed “the government’s failure to get a handle on it” saying rising arrears are “yet another clear indication of the growing energy poverty crisis”.
She added: “Right at the time when we need government action, Fine Gael reached an embarrassing new low by bringing out a petition to ask companies to lower their prices. It’s clear they are out of ideas.
“Meanwhile, Eamon Ryan’s retrofit scheme continues to lock vulnerable households into gas usage by installing new gas boilers.
“The rest of his scheme is targeted at the already wealthy - people who are not at risk of being in arrears to begin with. It is imperative the government take immediate action to address this issue.
“Vulnerable households must be provided with the support they need to keep their homes warm.”
According to a Central Statistics Office Consumer Price Index report at the end of March, the cost of gas and other fuels has risen by 20.8% over the past 12 months.
Wholesale natural gas prices have been falling in recent weeks but major energy providers have yet to pass these savings on to customers.
Senator Boylan said: “Gas suppliers have serious questions to answer as the wholesale gas price continues to drop but domestic gas prices remain too high”.
We asked the CRU if they asked providers to drop their prices.
A spokesperson said: “The CRU is encouraging all suppliers to reduce prices as soon as possible. It is important to note gas prices remain up to three times higher than historic norms. Due to supplier hedging, the majority of customers were protected from the worst impacts of the volatility and extreme high prices of 2022, where gas prices peaked at more than 10 times the historic norms.
“This supplier hedging also means that retail prices are likely to remain at current levels for some time, until we have seen sustained and further reductions in wholesale prices, and the impacts of hedging work through.
“The CRU will continue to monitor the market in relation to these trends.”
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications was contacted for comment.
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