Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has said that the staggering number of people in energy arrears shows the urgent need for the government to take real steps to help lift workers and families out of energy poverty.
The Dublin MEP was responding to the latest CRU figures showed the highest number of people in energy arrears since 2019.
Boylan said:
“It is staggering to see that 284,000 households are currently behind on their energy bills.
“This is higher than the previous record of 283,125 in March, and higher than at any time before Covid or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Behind these numbers are workers and families that are under real pressure and who are dealing with the real-life consequences of 14 years of failure from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, including the most expensive energy prices in Europe.
“The cost-of-living crisis may have slipped out of the headlines but it remains an everyday reality for people all across the state.
“The temporary measures taken by the government are not enough, they are not working.
“We need to treat the source of the problem, the crippling high electricity prices that this government has forced upon people.
“A new approach, with the state taking the lead to help deliver secure, stable and affordable prices would give much needed certainty and support to workers, families and businesses.
“Ireland needs a clean and reliable energy service that serves the people, not the profits of big energy companies.”
