The Energy Minister says difficulties in targeting energy supports at gas customers has likely contributed to the number of people currently in arrears.
Eamon Ryan says exceptional needs payments are in place for customers in arrears, and people should engage with energy companies for support.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities told an Oireachtas Committee that 165-thousand gas customers are now in debt.
Minister Ryan says it has been harder to help gas customers:
'In the electricity side we have seen our supports really work so every time the level of people in arrears started to tip up in the electricity sector. We put in a 200 euro payment and it actually drop about 60 to70 thousand customers every time coming out of arrears. That has been more difficult in the gas side because it is harder to target gas customers you cannot differentiate everyone has an electricity bill and not everyone has a Gas connection.'
