The government must act to insulate consumers from future energy price increases, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said:
“Energy prices in Ireland are the second highest in the EU – and they are continuing to climb.
“Last week, Airtricity announced it was hiking its prices by up to 10 per cent, while, separately, the chief executive of the ESB recently warned that the costs of repairing the electricity network after Storm Éowyn may have to be passed on to customers.
“This was an extraordinary statement to make given the hardship endured by hundreds of thousands of households and businesses in the aftermath of the storm – not to mention the fact that the ESB’s profits jumped by a massive 33 per cent in 2023.
“The government must give a cast-iron guarantee that consumers will not end up footing the bill for the storm damage.
“With already extortionate energy costs expected to rise further for residential and business customers over the next five years, it is time for the government to call a halt to this price gouging. Is it any wonder there are more than 400,000 customers in arrears with their energy bills?
“Gas bills are already 90 per cent higher than they were before the energy crisis, with electricity prices up 61 per cent in the same period.
“People simply cannot take these relentless increases and risk being pushed into energy poverty unless the government intervenes to protect them.
“What consumers need are targeted, sustainable supports to bring down energy costs in the long-term.
“Such measures could include expanding eligibility for the fuel allowance to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment, as well as an increase in retrofitting grants to make it more affordable for low and middle-income earners.
“In addition, the powers of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) should also be beefed up so it can monitor energy companies’ prices and standing charges.”
March 6, 2025