More than 300,000 electricity customers and nearly 176,000 gas customers in Ireland are now behind on their bills, new figures show, raising concerns of mounting financial strain as households head into winter.
Earlier this week, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) warned that arrears could increase sharply this year, with no energy credits expected to be included in the upcoming Budget. The regulator has urged households to engage with suppliers early to avoid disconnections and to explore support measures available.
CRU Support Measures
The CRU has introduced a series of protections for energy customers, including a disconnection moratorium and the option of structured repayment plans. Crucially, under the CRU’s code of conduct, no household can be disconnected if it is actively engaging with its supplier to arrange payment.
In addition, households may be eligible for social welfare supports, which can help offset energy costs during the colder months.
Advice on Cutting Costs
Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at price comparison website bonkers.ie, said households should not underestimate the savings available by switching providers.
“It is absolutely easy to switch and you could get a discount of maybe 20% or 30% for an entire year,” Cassidy said. “If someone was using an average amount of electricity they could save over €400 a year, and if they were switching their gas as well they could save maybe €700 to €800 a year.”
Cassidy noted that switching could effectively replicate or even exceed the value of recent government energy credits. “We got €250 last year, €450 the winter before that. By switching, the savings can be the equivalent of those credits combined.”
He also urged consumers to reconsider loyalty to existing providers across all household bills. “New customers are often offered better deals than long-term customers. People really do have the power to make a difference to their bills by switching and saving,” he said.
A Wider Budget Review
With families also managing back-to-school expenses and the upcoming Christmas season, Cassidy advised households to take a broader look at their finances. “Some TV and broadband packages now cost €80 to €100 a month. By switching, you could halve that and save €400 to €500 a year. If you don’t need a phone upgrade, moving to a SIM-only plan for €10 to €12 a month is another way to cut costs.”
He added that larger bills such as car insurance, home insurance, and mortgages also present opportunities for long-term savings. “Your mortgage is the biggest bill of all, but even one switch during its term can make a huge difference,” Cassidy said.
With no state energy credits on the horizon, experts stress that early action on switching and reviewing household bills will be key for families trying to weather another expensive winter.
