Sinn Féin TD for Galway West Maired Farrell has warned of a spike in arrears and disconnection figures as energy costs continue to cripple households.
New figures provided by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU ) reveal that there are now more than 400,000 households in arrears across the state.
Deputy Farrell said households are under huge pressure from the cost of living crisis.
"They need help and they need it now. Last week I raised in the Dáil one such constituent who came to my clinic and advised me that he had received a bill of over €900," she said.
"This man is in his 80s and was shocked at the sum of the Bill. The Government’s response to this was to suggest that the man pay in instalments or to enquire for an exceptional needs payment. This once again shows that the Government have not come to grips with the reality of the situation for people who are struggling to pay astronomical bills and who are terrified to put the heating or the lights on.
“There should not be a situation where our pensioners are sitting in the cold with the lights turned off as they are so concerned about the next bill coming through the door.
“The figures that we see with arrears and disconnections are shocking. They are the inevitable consequence of a government that fails to act, while allowing energy companies to run rough-shod over consumers.
“Between February and May there has been an increase of over 10% in the number of households in arrears (364,131 to 405,997 ). This means that there are now over 400,000 households in arrears across the state. Many of these households will be in Galway.
“Behind these staggering figures are the ordinary workers and families who are facing the deeply distressing situation of being unable to afford to live in rip-off Ireland. And due to the actions of this government, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
“The reality is that energy costs have more than doubled in the last 2 years in Ireland. This is leading to insurmountable, unsustainable levels of debt for people that they simply cannot overcome. It is patently clear that the Government has not done enough to protect workers and families from rip-off energy costs here," she added.
“This is on top of people in [county] already coming under huge pressure due to sky high rents, rising mortgage interest, huge grocery costs and childcare bills.
“The Government must get to grips with this deteriorating situation urgently. They must heed Sinn Féin calls to hold energy companies to account and to address Ireland’s rip-off energy bills. Without urgent and appropriate intervention, ordinary workers and families in Galway will continue to suffer," concluded Deputy Farrell.
