Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The comment he has made about being prepared represents a sensible approach. It will be welcome when this debate is being held in the Dáil. As we all know, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities provides a list of electricity and gas providers with some helpful hints and tips on switching. However, I am conscious that as Deputy Bruton mentioned in his opening statement, many older people are not tech-savvy, are not online and have not grown up in that environment, and therefore would find it impossible to consider switching. We find many people stay with the same provider all their lives and do not switch. That is an area on which there needs to be a special focus. The point the Deputy makes on being informed of a renewal date is important. We know that opting to go paperless can save 10% off electricity bills, but then the date for renewal might fall in September or October and the consumer might not realise this until the bill comes in November or December. I will take up all the issues with the Minister of State, Deputy Troy.

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