Energy arrears figures ‘staggering,' says Leitrim Councillor
Councillor Padraig Fallon urges urgent government action as over 450,000 electricity and gas customers struggle with unpaid bills.
Leitrim Councillor Padraig Fallon, Sinn Féin, has called on the government to step in and tackle rising energy costs for families across Ireland.
The comments follow data from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which showed that 11% of energy customers in Ireland were in arrears in February, with an additional 21,000 households falling behind on payments that month.
“These figures are staggering,” said Cllr Fallon. “Every one of these figures represents a family under huge pressure, some facing the terrible choice between heating their home and putting food on the table.”
Despite a year-on-year decrease in the number of customers in arrears between January 2024 and 2025, a total of 286,823 electricity customers and 170,961 gas customers were in arrears as of January this year, according to the figures.
The data also showed that the average amount owed by those in arrears rose by 2% in January, after decreasing every month—except November—since March 2024.
The government has pledged to introduce “new supports” to help households cope with energy prices, though Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has confirmed this will not include a return of energy credits.
“People are now under huge pressure, with what little support the government gave now gone and no replacement in sight,” said Cllr Fallon.
“Every month, we see clear evidence that the government is failing to stop people from falling into debt over their energy bills.”
“This situation is serious. The government needs to step in, help ease the burden on households, and tackle the soaring rates of energy poverty.”
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.