Families Freezing to Save Money. Episode 524

Today on the show, Niall talks to Daragh Cassidy from Bonkers.ie about Ireland’s soaring energy costs. SSE Airtricity has just announced a 9.5% hike in its standard electricity prices from next month, adding around €150 a year to the average bill. This is the company’s second increase in 2024, after April’s rises of 10.5% for electricity and 8.4% for gas.

Irish consumers are already paying some of the highest energy prices in Europe. Eurostat figures show household electricity costs in Ireland are almost 30% above the EU average—with the average annual bill now around €1,800, roughly €350 more than the EU average household. While Electric Ireland has surprised customers with a 4% cut in gas prices starting November, the relief only amounts to about €58 a year—a drop in the ocean for many struggling households.

Niall also opens the phone lines to hear directly from listeners. One woman told us she went all last winter without turning on the heating, relying on long hours at work to stay warm because she couldn’t afford both food for her two children and a gas bill. Even the standing charge alone is pushing families on low incomes to the brink.

With so many people feeling the pressure, Niall asks the big question:

👉 “Are you afraid to turn the heating on because it costs too much?”