Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me raise this matter which affects more than 300,000 people. Last year, 11,773 customers had their electricity cut off, of which 81% were families. Up to 70,000 customers are in arrears of more than 60 days and only 10% are in payment arrangements. ESB Networks told me last week that on average 300 families a week in the greater Dublin area are being disconnected. It then takes them an average of five days to be reconnected. The payment, for which these families must borrow, beg or find, also includes a €89 charge for disconnection, as well as a €89 one for reconnection. These are shocking statistics.

What directives does the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources believe the Government can put in place to encourage our various network suppliers to show more compassion to struggling families who are being cut off in far too high numbers? I suggest we examine a social energy tariff which they have in the UK. These schemes offer discounts to customers who are in need rather than the typical Irish case of offering discounts to the staff of the ESB.

The schemes of all energy suppliers in the United Kingdom are obliged to offer some social energy tariff to give discounted electricity bills to customers in need. Rules from the energy regulator, Ofgem, state social energy tariffs must at least match the cheapest deal on offer from the providers, including those online.

Should we encourage our energy suppliers to fund a not-for-profit helpline to offer advice and assistance on payment schemes, social energy tariffs, grants for home improvements and benefits to which customers might be entitled? I appeal to the Government to step in to ensure no one is cut off from his or her electricity supply as a result of a genuine inability to pay. I appeal to all agencies to co-operate with customers and start accepting new payment structures. Cutting off the electricity supply of families which are genuinely trying to meet their payments should not be an option. Customers are trying their best to be responsible, with thousands opting to have pay-as-you-go meters installed in their homes as a way of dealing with energy bills. However, this option is not on offer to those who are already in trouble, but these are the ones most in need of pay-as-you-go meters. Will the Government seriously consider addressing the three energy suppliers on this matter? This is happening on the day when Bord Gáis announced that it had to recruit 90 new debt collectors recently. We are focusing our energy in the wrong places. We need to be more compassionate. Energy suppliers must do everything they can to ensure the most vulnerable, those most in need, including struggling families, are helped and assisted to pay their bills. These are outstanding debts that most families want to pay in a structured and more stable environment.

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