Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
120. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the current number of consumers in arrears regarding electricity bills; and the cadence at which such data is reported to Government. [72995/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of households that are in energy arrears for both gas and electricity respectively; the number that are in long-term arrears, as of 30 November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71562/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 154 together.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regularly publishes market monitoring data including:-
• the estimated annual bills for households;
• the number of households in payment arrears on their energy bills;
• the number of disconnections; and
• the number of customers switching energy supplier.
Arrears data is generally published by the CRU on a monthly basis, though it is acknowledged that there was a delay in the publication of the data in July, August and September of this year. As arrears data operates with a two-month time lag due to the way suppliers report these figures to the CRU and the need to validate the data, the latest published arrears figures are for September 2025.
The data show that there are currently 297,313 customers in electricity arrears. This is a 3.4% decrease from the August figure of 307,862. For those in arrears more than 90 days, 187,307 electricity customers were in arrears in September 2025, a slight decrease of 0.7% from August 2025 which was 188,618.
In relation to gas, 179,576 customers were in arrears in September 2025, a 3.76 decrease from 186,594 households in August. Regarding customers in arrears over 90 days, this stood at 153,658 in September, a decrease of 0.5% from August 2025.
The CRU is currently reviewing its market monitoring framework through which this data is collected and reported upon. The review aims to provide more granular information to gain a better understanding of the numbers of customers who may be in more distress and in need of support with their debt.
The Deputy may wish to engage directly with the CRU in relation to the matters raised. The CRU provides a dedicated email address, oireachtas@cru.ie, for Oireachtas members which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters.
