Energy companies have confirmed to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that they will operate hardship funds and minimise disconnections outside of the moratorium period for customers struggling to pay bills.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is expected to make an announcement on a disconnection moratorium soon, Mr Varadkar confirmed. The Taoiseach, alongside Energy Minister Eamon Ryan, met with SSE Electricity, Bord Gais Energy, Energia and Electric Ireland on Tuesday afternoon to express concern about “persistently high energy prices”.
After the meeting, the Taoiseach said that while the Government welcomes recent announcements that prices will be cut from November, he told companies they “must go further in future billing cycles, subject to wholesale prices not increasing again”. "I am particularly concerned about what companies are doing to help their most vulnerable customers and received commitments from them that they will continue to help over the winter period, through their respective hardship funds, prompt customer service and minimising disconnections outside of the moratorium period, which last year covered October through to the end of March,” he said.
“I understand the CRU, the utilities regulator, will make a decision on this year’s moratorium period shortly. We have the windfall tax, which is an additional tax on the super normal profits of energy companies.
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“This will provide several hundred million euros, which we will use to help families and businesses with their energy bills. We also took a special dividend out of the state-run companies, Bord na Móna and ESB. This money too, will go to the Exchequer and help fund ways to take the pressure off those who are struggling.”
Ahead of the meeting, the Taoiseach said that he would be “putting pressure” on companies to reduce prices. Speaking in Farmleigh ahead of the meeting, Mr Varadkar said that while inflation is moderating, it is still “very high” and Irish households are still receiving high bills.
“[Energy companies] have announced a reduction in prices of between 10 and 20 per cent. I don't think that's enough,” he said. It is now widely accepted that the Government will announce at least one energy credit as part of the budget.
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