16/10/2024
Sinn Féin Expresses Concern At Record Highs Of Energy Debt
Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan, has said the "government policy is failing miserably" after figures released by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) show there have never been more electricity and gas customers in debt.
According to the quarterly figure up to the end of June, which includes households and commercial customers, over half a million energy customers are in arrears.
These include 320,332 electricity customers and 180,163 gas customers who are in debt.
"More customers are in debt now than at any point since the energy prices spiked in the wake of Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine," said Mrs Boylan.
"These numbers tell us what households and small businesses up and down the state already know, the government policy is failing miserably."
At the end of June, households owed a staggering €119,953,630 to energy companies, a 12% increase from the €105,857,250 owed just three months earlier. "Several years into the crisis, it's clear the government still does not have a handle on it as more households are in debt now than last year before the recent round of energy credits," said Mrs Boylan.
"Meanwhile, more commercial customers are in debt to gas and electricity suppliers than ever before."
The Sinn Féin MEP also expressed worry of a growing divide between shareholders and ordinary people, while outlining her party's plan of action.
"Like the housing crisis, this government is behaving as though widespread energy poverty is a normal feature of the energy system, when it is not," she said.
"This is a political choice. There is an alternative. We need wholesale market reform but there are steps to take in the short term.
"First – end corporate subsidies paid for by households and small businesses. Ordinary people are paying for renewables and grid upgrades that data centres should be paying for.
"Secondly, Eamon Ryan directed that over €600m be taken from households and small businesses to subsidise the bills of data centres during the so-called Large Energy User Rebalancing Subvention."
She added: "Sinn Féin is calling in that debt – that money should be paid back by data centres and large energy users to give households a break. We need a Household Rebalancing Subvention now."
According to the quarterly figure up to the end of June, which includes households and commercial customers, over half a million energy customers are in arrears.
These include 320,332 electricity customers and 180,163 gas customers who are in debt.
"More customers are in debt now than at any point since the energy prices spiked in the wake of Covid-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine," said Mrs Boylan.
"These numbers tell us what households and small businesses up and down the state already know, the government policy is failing miserably."
At the end of June, households owed a staggering €119,953,630 to energy companies, a 12% increase from the €105,857,250 owed just three months earlier. "Several years into the crisis, it's clear the government still does not have a handle on it as more households are in debt now than last year before the recent round of energy credits," said Mrs Boylan.
"Meanwhile, more commercial customers are in debt to gas and electricity suppliers than ever before."
The Sinn Féin MEP also expressed worry of a growing divide between shareholders and ordinary people, while outlining her party's plan of action.
"Like the housing crisis, this government is behaving as though widespread energy poverty is a normal feature of the energy system, when it is not," she said.
"This is a political choice. There is an alternative. We need wholesale market reform but there are steps to take in the short term.
"First – end corporate subsidies paid for by households and small businesses. Ordinary people are paying for renewables and grid upgrades that data centres should be paying for.
"Secondly, Eamon Ryan directed that over €600m be taken from households and small businesses to subsidise the bills of data centres during the so-called Large Energy User Rebalancing Subvention."
She added: "Sinn Féin is calling in that debt – that money should be paid back by data centres and large energy users to give households a break. We need a Household Rebalancing Subvention now."
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 July 2018
An Garda Síochána Saves Over €9m In Energy Costs
An Garda Síochána has saved more than €9 million in energy costs after becoming the first police force in the world to achieve the globally recognised international energy management standard (ISO 50001).
An Garda Síochána Saves Over €9m In Energy Costs
An Garda Síochána has saved more than €9 million in energy costs after becoming the first police force in the world to achieve the globally recognised international energy management standard (ISO 50001).
13 January 2011
Carnegie To Explore Marine Energy Potential
Australian renewables developer Carnegie Wave Energy has agreed a deal with the Irish Government to explore potential sites for marine energy installations around the country's coastline.
Carnegie To Explore Marine Energy Potential
Australian renewables developer Carnegie Wave Energy has agreed a deal with the Irish Government to explore potential sites for marine energy installations around the country's coastline.
15 April 2019
IEA Publish Review Of Ireland's Energy Policies
A review of Ireland's Energy Policies that acknowledges significant change and progress in recent years has today been published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The study revealed that Ireland now has the third highest share of wind generated electricity among all 30 countries in the IEA.
IEA Publish Review Of Ireland's Energy Policies
A review of Ireland's Energy Policies that acknowledges significant change and progress in recent years has today been published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The study revealed that Ireland now has the third highest share of wind generated electricity among all 30 countries in the IEA.
13 April 2018
Irish Carbon Emissions Almost 60% Above EU Average - Report
A new report has revealed that carbon emissions in Ireland are among the highest in Europe, with Ireland beating the European average by 58%. According to the report, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the increase is due to the greater use of high-carbon fuels including oil, coal and peat.
Irish Carbon Emissions Almost 60% Above EU Average - Report
A new report has revealed that carbon emissions in Ireland are among the highest in Europe, with Ireland beating the European average by 58%. According to the report, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the increase is due to the greater use of high-carbon fuels including oil, coal and peat.
11 March 2015
Better Energy Homes Scheme Grants Increased
Grants awarded under the Better Energy Homes Scheme are to be increased. The value of every grant is to be increased by between 25-50%, with an additional bonus payment also being introduced for recipients who complete three or more energy efficiency improvements.
Better Energy Homes Scheme Grants Increased
Grants awarded under the Better Energy Homes Scheme are to be increased. The value of every grant is to be increased by between 25-50%, with an additional bonus payment also being introduced for recipients who complete three or more energy efficiency improvements.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:It will be a dry day with bright or increasingly sunny spells. Strong northerly winds in the east in the morning will ease down through the day. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:Staying dry through the evening and overnight with largely clear skies and light winds which will allow some frost and fog patches to develop. Minimum temperature -1 °C.