Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The regulation of the electricity and gas market is the responsibility of the Commission for Energy Regulation which is an independent statutory body. My Department and I are, nonetheless, in contact with the regulator from time to time regarding the functioning of the domestic electricity market. In this context, addressing the issues faced by customers experiencing genuine financial hardship is of paramount importance to me.

In line with the regulator's code of practice on disconnection, electricity and gas suppliers must facilitate payment options for domestic customers experiencing genuine financial hardship and, where appropriate, engage with a money adviser acting on behalf of the customer, such as MABS or a recognised charity. This must include offering the customer a prepayment meter or budget controller if this is possible.

The regulator has been working with electricity suppliers on the provision of prepayment meters. In this regard, the regulator has developed a more modern prepayment keypad meter solution with the industry, which will be available to customers of all suppliers in financial hardship. They are similar to the keypad meters offered in Northern Ireland.

ESB Networks commenced the installation of these meters last month and the roll-out is progressing well. Prepayment electricity meters have been available since 24 October 2011 to customers in financial hardship. The regulator is working to ensure meters are distributed in an equitable manner between suppliers and are being rolled out as efficiently as possible. ESB Networks has both the systems in place and sufficient stocks of prepayment meters to install an estimated 2,000 monthly, a figure that comfortably outstrips current and projected demand. The company also has a further supply of meters on order.

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