Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has expressed concern at the increase in debt that the average household owes to energy companies.

The Dublin MEP was responding to the latest Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) figures.

MEP Boylan said:

“The energy debt for average households has gone up from €412.68 last year, to €436.73 this year. It’s clear that the government’s current plan isn’t working.

“Instead of trying to ease this burden, it seems that the ESB are planning to hike these prices further to pass the cost of repair and upgrade works after the storm on to households that are already feeling the pressure.

“While the government may try to put a positive spin on these figures, claiming that there are less households in arrears overall, they are ignoring that those in arrears are falling further into debt and that the number of households in debt remains too high.

“Indeed, this is only a decrease from what was a record high in the number of homes in Arrears. This was a record high dating back to before the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“It’s clear that energy credits are only a sticking plaster for a much deeper issue, the extortionate cost of electricity in Ireland.

“The government needs to invest in making energy affordable and reliable for everyone and easing the burden of crippling energy prices for workers and families.”

CRU – Commission for the Regulation of Utilities: https://cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com/documents/Arrears_and_NPA_disconnection_update_November_2024.pdf