Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is important to record that the number of electricity disconnections is down. The problem is in the gas area. The latest figures I have suggest that the increase is 64% year on year. It is very difficult to get figures that strip out vacant houses and seasonal lets. There is also an apparent tendency in some summer months to switch off gas. None of these factors denies the Deputy's point about the fact that fuel poverty exists and that there are households under pressure. This is why even though the number of pay-as-you-go meters has climbed, I would like to see them rise further.

The protocol we have put in place requires that where a pay-as-you-go meter is installed or where a payment plan is entered into, there can be no disconnection. Perhaps it ought to be better promoted. Some people have not got the message. A resort to the protocol would mean that any of the companies cannot wantonly disconnect gas supply and I hope to see more meters.

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