Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
23. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has plans to work with the ESB to ensure Pay As You Go electricity customers are on the lowest possible electricity tariffs. [31211/26]
View answerESB Networks and GNI are responsible for installing Pay As You Go meters free of charge for customers in financial difficulty at the request of suppliers, on foot of a customer agreeing to the installation of a meter.
A range of CRU customer protections are in place for households on prepayment and hardship meters including:
• suppliers are required to ensure that all customers with a financial hardship meter are placed on the most economic or cheapest tariff. This includes a tariff that might otherwise only be available to, for example, a new customer or a customer as a retention offer;
• suppliers must ensure that up to a maximum of 15% of a single customer vend can be attributed to debt recovery;
• suppliers are required to advise their prepayment customers in financial difficulty about other payment options available to them. Suppliers must recommended that registered vulnerable customers are not placed on prepayment meters;
• the €200 gas meter exchange siteworks charge associated with a customer moving from a Pay As You Go gas meter to a credit meter has been suspended for all domestic customers;
• suppliers are required to continue to provide appropriately trained call centre staff to help better identify customers in debt or facing debt, at an earlier stage;
• emergency credit on all electricity and gas prepay meters should represent no less than a €20 credit in total; and
• suppliers must also send a reminder to all domestic customers, including Pay As You Go customers, about the eligibility criteria, how to apply and the benefits of registering as a vulnerable customer.
As Minister, I have engaged with all suppliers and met with the four biggest energy retailers in recent months. The suppliers have since committed to ensuring that hardship funds and focused measures are in place for any customers who may find themselves in difficulty. I have also recently written to retail electricity and gas suppliers, as well as fuel suppliers, to emphasise the importance of reducing the exposure for Irish consumers from the price shocks that global uncertainty can create.
I would encourage all customers, including Pay As You Go customers, to engage with their energy supplier if facing financial difficulties.
I would also remind the Deputy that the Department of Social Protection can provide support through the Additional Needs Payment to help households meet expenses, including those who face difficulties with fuel bills.
