Readers like you keep news free for everyone.
More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.
Image: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
Image: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
THE NUMBER OF people who have had their gas or electricity supplies cut off almost tripled in the first three months of this year.
Almost 7,000 customers – the vast majority of them residential – had their energy disconnected between January and March.
Over 5,000 electricity customers had their supply cut off compared to 3,298 during the same period in 2011.
A total of 1,892 gas customers were cut off between January and March compared to 677 in 2011, according to the figures released today by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).
Altogether 91 per cent of gas customers and 83 per cent of electricity customers were residential customers.
Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe said the figures were “ominous” and particularly frightening considering that last winter was unseasonably mild.
Making a difference A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
“The people most at risk from the cold and hypothermia are the elderly and young children. A severe winter will result in deaths as families struggle to heat their homes,” said Crowe.
“Bord Gáis and Airtricity claim they are doing everything possible to avoid disconnection but these figures clearly show they are not doing enough”.
COMMENTS (42)