Electric Ireland to ‘review’ letter sent to pensioner over €16 in arrears

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Electric Ireland has said it is seeking to “review” a case where it was accused of “threatening” a pensioner over around €16 in arrears, after the matter was raised by a TD.

Independent TD for Tipperary Mattie McGrath raised the case of a recently-widowed “elderly pensioner in his 80s”.

McGrath said the man is also in poor health and had received “an aggressive and intimidating arrears letter warning of possible cancellation of his payment plan and implied disconnection” despite owing around €16.

The TD said the the amount “has since been fully cleared”.

McGrath said his constituent had come under pressure due to funeral costs and additional cost-of-living expenses.

He said he had been put under a €75 per week payment plan to clear around 800 euro in arrears, but had been actually paying €80 per week.

McGrath said a letter telling the man he had not kept up with the payment plan and owed €16.41 caused him “significant fear and upset” as he believed he was at risk of losing his gas supply.

“My office is seeing cases like this on a far too frequent basis.

“This is not how we treat vulnerable pensioners, or anyone else for that matter.”

McGrath said ESB, which operates Electric Ireland, reported €636 million in pre‑tax profits and a record €2.7 billion in capital investment last year.

“At a time when ESB is reporting enormous profits, their retail arm is issuing fear‑inducing letters to elderly widowers over a paltry 16 euro.

“It is beyond comprehension.”

Electric Ireland said it does not comment on individual customer accounts but added: “However, we have requested the customer details so we can review the case and engage directly with them.”