The number of domestic electricity and gas customers in arrears fell during the final quarter of the year, new figures show.
That was despite a slight uptick in gas arrears during December, where more than a fifth of customers remain behind on bills.
According to data released by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), 11% of domestic electricity customers had overdue bills at the end of December, down from 12% at the end of September and a similar percentage to 2020, before the energy crisis began.
22% of domestic gas customers were also in arrears, down from 23% at the end of the third quarter.
12% of non-domestic electricity users were overdue at the end of the year, down from 15% in September.
That compares to 25% of non-domestic gas customers who were behind in payments at the end of 2023, down from 29%.
"The number of non-domestic electricity and gas customers falling into arrears has remained broadly stable, with a decrease noted in both electricity and gas markets in Q4 2023 having previously both seen increase in both markets in Q3 2023," the CRU said.
That data also shows that in December there were no disconnections of domestic electricity or gas accounts, nor of non-domestic gas connections.
There were, however, 12 disconnections of non-domestic electricity accounts.
"It's encouraging to see the number of households behind on their energy bills fall," said Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications with bonkers.ie.
"Government support in the form of energy credits, a mild winter, and a reduction in energy prices all likely contributed to this."
"Several suppliers have also set up hardship funds to help those in trouble and this may have helped reduce the numbers in arrears too."
Mr Cassidy added that the gas figures are still a bit concerning.
"Although there was a drop of almost 7,000 over the quarter, 22% of households, or over 153,00, are still in arrears, which is significantly above the 15% to 16% level that was normal before the energy crisis kicked off," he said.
"The lack of a gas credit is likely the main reason for this."
He said prices cuts announced by suppliers in recent weeks should help alleviate pressure on householders.
