Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On Friday, a man named Michael, who is 82 years of age, called to my office. He was in huge distress because he had received an electricity bill for €939. That is a staggering amount, and completely unaffordable. Michael lives alone in a one-bedroom flat and is absolutely terrified to put on the heat or the electricity. He told me he has not put the heat on in months because he is so worried. I contacted the provider on Michael’s behalf. Its only suggestion was that he would pay in instalments. For a man of 82 years of age, that is completely unrealistic. He is already terrified of putting on heat or electricity and he sits alone at home with the lights off and no heating on. What am I meant to say to Michael? What is Michael supposed to do now?

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