1 in 5 struggle to pay gas bill

Senator says figures are of major concern & may be just tip of iceberg

- BY SHAUNA CORR

ONE in five household gas customers are behind on their bills, it was revealed yesterday.

Sinn Fein climate justice spokesperson Lynn Boylan requested the latest arrears figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities through the Joint Committee on Climate Action.

They show that of the 690,000 who rely on gas to heat their homes, 139,785 were in arrears at the end of December rising to 152,276 by the end of February.

Senator Boylan described the 9% jump as "a major cause for concern" but fears it's just the tip of the iceberg as astronomical bills continue to land on doormats".

She said: "They indicate more and more households are struggling to keep up with the cost of their energy bills.