Bishop’s energy poverty fears after price increases
Bishop Nulty A BISHOP yesterday hit out at recent utility price hikes highlighting the plight of nearly half a million people in energy poverty in Ireland.
Denis Nulty, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, took to social media after another company announced price rises this week. Bord Gais is the latest utility to raise its costs.
Households who use both gas and electricity with the company will see their annual bills jump by €96.72 from August.
Bishop Nulty tweeted to his 2,300 followers: “Last year it was estimated that 400,000 people were directly affected by energy poverty in Ireland.
“With further price increases coming into effect during these summer months, I shudder to think of the effect on those already in the poverty trap.”
On August 6 Bord Gais will up electricity costs by 5.8%, adding €60 to the average annual bill. The company has blamed the price hikes on continued increases in wholesale markets.
Switcher.ie’s Eoin Clarke said: “Wholesale energy prices have shot up. The vast majority of suppliers have implemented at least one price hike since last winter and this news signals there’s no end in sight.”