30/07/2012

Hike In Gas Prices Will Cause Fuel Poverty - Crowe

Tallaght-based Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe shares the concerns of St Vincent de Paul that a hike in gas prices will force more people into fuel poverty.

Deputy Crowe commented after An Bord Gáis applied to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CNR) to increase the cost for residential gas customers. The CNR have two weeks to consider the request.

Deputy Crowe said: "Bord Gáis provides gas to 70% of Irish residential customers and this increase would raise the average yearly gas bill by €65.

"Last year the St Vincent DePaul Society spent €7 million helping families pay energy bills. Elderly people, in particular, are being placed at risk as they struggle to heat their homes. Many face impossible choices as they decide whether to heat their homes or pay for food and clothing.

"Since 2009, calls to the Society of St Vincent de Paul have risen by 83 per cent. Almost a quarter of all calls the SVP received last year related to appeals for help in getting food, while a further16 per cent sought assistance with bills and energy costs.

"The average amount for electricity bills recorded by the organisation's regional offices in 2011 was €563, while the average for gas bills was €510.

"If Bord Gáis is allowed to increase its charges the lives of some older people will be put at risk as they struggle to heat their homes."

(CD/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 July 2012
Committee Meet To Discuss Gas Network Development
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications will today meet with representatives of Bord Gáis Networks (BGN) to discuss its work in connecting homes and businesses to Ireland's gas network.
18 February 2009
Gas Bills Could Be Slashed By 25%
Bord Gais has announced it is preparing to slash energy costs with both average gas bills falling by as much as a quarter and costs for its newly launched electricity service undercutting other suppliers. The company is giving a guarantee to new customers that it will beat the ESB domestic electricity rate by 10% for a minimum of three years.
27 January 2015
Airtricity Announce Domestic Bill Cuts
The Minister for Energy, Alex White, has welcomed an announcement by energy supplier Airtricity that it will reduce its domestic energy prices by by 6%. The price reduction will see gas bills reduced by 4% and electricity by 2% and follows a similar announcement by Bord Gais Energy last week.
13 October 2022
Business Energy Bill Relief Scheme Published
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced the details of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses in Northern Ireland, published by the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Minister Lyons said: "I am acutely aware that businesses are currently facing unprecedented energy costs as inflation hits record levels.
21 October 2008
Bord Gáis Seek Hike Despite Gas Price Drop
Bord Gáis are reportedly preparing an application for an 8% price increase, despite their 20% increase in September, and a drop in the cost of gas supplies. The proposed increase will be the second hike imposed on gas consumers this year as bills have already been hit with a 20% interim increase from September 1.