Households who engage with their suppliers over their energy bills will never have their supply cut off.
That is the key principle in a revamped voluntary code for energy suppliers launched today by the Electricity Association of Ireland, which represents electricity generators, suppliers and network operators in Ireland.
Energy consumers are considered to be "engaged" if they actively communicate with their supplier either directly or through a third party representative to manage their energy bills.
Third party representatives include charities such as St Vincent De Paul or debt advice services such as MABS, the money advice and budgeting service.
"From time to time and for a variety of reasons some electricity and gas customers experience difficulty in paying their bills. Energy suppliers aim to help their customers, and in particular those in arrears, by providing them with the appropriate support they need to manage their energy use and costs," say Dara Lynott, chief Executive of the EAI
"With today's launch of the enhanced Energy Engage Code, Irish energy suppliers are further demonstrating their clear commitment to work together with their customers. The key principle underpinning this is a firm commitment by suppliers that they will never disconnect an engaging customer," he added.
The suppliers that have signed up to the code are Bord Gáis Energy, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas, Pinergy, Prepay Power, SSE Airtricity and new entrant to the Irish market, Yuno Energy.
A number of those companies already undertake never to disconnect customers who are engaging with them over bills.
The revamped voluntary code from the energy suppliers comes after recent figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities indicated a notable rise in the number in arrears after the ending of Government energy credits in March, and ahead of cuts in energy prices from major suppliers that kick in next month.
