Bord Gáis paid a dividend of €33.1m to the exchequer in 2011, an increase of 10% on the previous year.
Its annual report shows that turnover grew by 5% to €1.608 billion and earnings before interest and tax increased by 4% to €343m.
Profit before income tax was down 24% to €94m due, the company says to capital investment and finance costs.
In 2011, in response to the growth in customer arrears, the company says it agreed 82,000 repayment plans and installed 21,600 pay-as-you-go meters free of charge in the year, as well as increasing available resources to deal with arrears.
However, customer debt remains a key concern, it says.
The company says it will undergo significant transformation over the next two years, having the secured the contract to establish Irish Water, and to prepare for the sale of Bord Gáis Energy.
The company also notes what it describes as a vote of confidence from international bank lenders in June, with the agreement of a €500m multi-currency revolving credit facility.
Commenting on the results, Rose Hynes, Chairperson of Bord Gáis Éireann, said: “The company has performed well in 2011, delivering on its obligations to shareholders, through an increased dividend, and to customers, through a high standard of customer care and support."
"The company has also focussed on meeting its social obligations through a proactive approach to customer arrears in which over 100,000 customers received help to manage their bills in 2011”. she added.
