ESB ELECTRIC Ireland has extended its discount system to include those who are in arrears with the company.
The move, which follows the intervention of Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte, was welcomed by the National Consumer Agency.
The company was criticised recently when it excluded customers whose accounts were in arrears from its new price plans.
Customers who had their accounts in good order were offered savings of up to 14 per cent on electricity and up to 17 per cent if they bought gas from the firm. Social welfare recipients in arrears who entered payment plans could also avail of discounted rates, but others in arrears could not.
The new arrangements will apply to others in arrears who have meters installed and those who enter into instalment payment plans to deal with arrears.
It will, however, provide only a limited discount for non-social welfare recipients in arrears, amounting to 6 per cent.
The prospect of a greater discount once arrears are cleared is expected to act as an incentive for customers to pay what they owe.
Labour Party TD Kevin Humphreys said he did have “a concern that the 6 per cent discount on offer is far below the 14 per cent on offer to other customers”.