Households who are struggling with rising electricity and gas prices will not be cut off this Winter the utilities commission has confirmed.
A moratorium has been put in place between the months of December and February across the country with further time given for those most vulnerable. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities confirmed the news to Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action today.
They also said that anyone who is connected to a medical device "can never be disconnected" if a bill is not paid. While those who are vulnerable due to age or health cannot be disconnected between October and March this year.
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Those who may be classed as vulnerable are being urged to get in touch with the CRU to register their status. But the CRU said it has no power to regulate the rising costs being imposed on customers by providers.
Questions were raised cross party about who the utility companies are accountable to when rising prices, particularly when it comes to standing charges which everyone has to pay regardless of usage. And the CRU was questioned about its role as a regulator and how it can help with the control of prices.
CRU chairperson Aoife MacEvilly acknowledged that "many are already struggling to pay" the rising costs and said that the regulator "can do more" to help.
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