Ms Susanne Rogers:

The figures are very difficult to come by because it is self-disconnection. That is a real issue. In Ballyfermot a couple of years ago, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, did a piece of work. I appreciate that this work will not actually capture the increase in numbers that we have had in the last year or two but it is a good place to start. It is a very interesting paper. I echo the call for further research. MABS would have data that could be used.

The companies themselves would be able to see disconnections and for how long people were disconnected.

I echo the earlier call that arrears should be manageable. Many people are having prepay meters installed as a way of dealing with a high-arrears bill. It is either that or get disconnected. A certain amount of the top-up is going in arrears as well. That is really important. That needs to be managed. I do not like using the words "choice" or "decision". It is a real challenge to be able to do everything that needs to be done on €220 a week. I echo the research piece. Managing arrears on a prepay meter can push many people over the edge.