Pa Daly
Ceist:289. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he anticipates arrears will increase following the withdrawal of energy credits. [73655/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 December 2025
Ceisteanna (289)
Freagraí scríofa
The latest available Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) arrears data (September 2025) shows 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.
There are many variables, including those related to changing energy costs, the wider health of the economy, and seasonal variation in energy consumption, which may influence arrears levels. Analysis presented in the interim report of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce suggests that while the distribution of electricity credits in recent years directly reduced arrears levels upon application, they did not impact longer-terms trends in the level of domestic energy bill arrears.
Government has reduced the level of electricity credits on a gradual basis across successive schemes, in recognition that they were always intended to be a temporary, emergency measure and were not fiscally sustainable in the longer-term.
The CRU is currently reviewing its market monitoring framework through which retail market 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 energy distress and in need of support with their debt. This analysis will inform the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce, which will include the development of targeted measures to assist households most vulnerable to energy cost pressures.
Question No. 290 answered with Question No. 141.