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Social Democrats Dublin Bay North Councillor Cian O’Callaghan today welcomed the decision by Fingal County Council to explore helping Council tenants save money on their energy bills through group switching of suppliers.
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“Local authorities in Ireland could play a very constructive role in facilitating their social housing tenants to come together to avail of group discounts.”
Social Democrats Dublin Bay North Councillor Cian O’Callaghan today welcomed the decision by Fingal County Council to explore helping Council tenants save money on their energy bills through group switching of suppliers.
Cllr. Cian O’Callaghan said:
“At the moment, over a million Irish households overpay for their electricity. About 400,000 gas customers do the same. Our current model whereby the best tariffs are available only to those who switch provider every year leaves many households worse off.
“A growing body of international research shows that under this model the most vulnerable including older households and low-income families pay the highest prices. For this very reason, the UK has brought in price controls for three categories of customers.
“Local authorities in Ireland could play a very constructive role in facilitating their social housing tenants to come together to avail of group discounts. This would be a practical measure that would help reduce energy bills for low-income households and could be done on a voluntary opt-in only basis. This would save tenants money and also the hassle of having to switch provider each year to achieve the best rates. “
“I’m delighted that there was unanimous support from councillors at the April meeting of Fingal County Council for my motion that the Council should explore facilitating group switching of energy customers who are Council tenants.”
ENDS
9th April 2019
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