Sinn Féin says that more than 322,000 households are behind on electricity bills and criticises the government's handling of energy support, following a rise in arrears across domestic and non‑domestic sectors.
Sinn Féin says that domestic electricity arrears have reached a level not seen since the beginning of available records, with more than 322,000 households behind on their bills in April of 2026.
The average outstanding amount per household over that month was just under 516 euros, a small 1 per cent uptick from the previous month. In parallel, a separate survey of gas accounts revealed that 185,940 households had unpaid gas bills, representing 27 per cent of all domestic gas customers. When those arrears surpass 90 days in duration, 138,066 households are over that threshold-a figure that has climbed steadily for the past year.
The data are compiled by the national regulator which publishes quarterly snapshots of non‑domestic consumption and monthly updates for domestic figures from March 2025. While the April number in the gas segment was surpassed only slightly in August 2025, with 186,594 households in arrears, the gap signals a persistent trend.
The regulator also reports on business customers: in April 2026, 13 per cent of non‑domestic electricity users were behind what is largely a bill, a stagnated figure that has remained unchanged since October 2025; 20 per cent of non‑domestic gas customers were overdue, an increase of one per cent from March 2026. Down in the suburbs and in city centres alike, the political response is almost instantaneous.
Sinn Féin voiced a mixture of anger and alarm, saying the government's recent decision to abolish the energy credit scheme and to convene a taskforce without delivering tangible results has left an increasing number of homeowners in precarious positions. The party also accuses the administration of favourising large corporations by distributing fresh subsidies and discounts on network charges, while the ordinary consumer is left to face rising costs.
The spokesperson added that the number of households are now almost 24,000 higher than at the time the taskforce began its work last summer. The wider context of the spike in arrears is tied to a blend of global market stresses and domestic policy choices. The sharp rise in international energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been compounded by a slowdown in economic growth and a rise in living costs across Ireland.
Many families are torn between paying groceries and paying the electric meter, and the public's demand for clearer, more comprehensive relief measures has intensified. The situation creates a potential chain reaction across the economy, as stranded households reduce consumption, which in turn can dampen retail and service sectors that rely on the discretionary spending of everyday families.
The government will be forced to confront these concerns in the coming months if it hopes to stave off an energy‑security crisis that would threaten the country's stability and reputation as a reliable business hub.
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