Rabbitte vows to have no utility cut offs

lucy2010

http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2011/0913/ireland/rabbitte-vows-to-have-no-utility-cut-offs-this-winter-520404.html

Couldn't find this anywhere & feel free to move Mods.

Had previously tried to " reason" with Bord Gais. Had also requested a meter. Bord Gais DO NOT install meters for electricity customers only gas.

This morning received a cut off letter. Will admit im in arrears. So I rang them.

a. No Meters still for electricty customers - Gas customers only
b. Payment plan is their terms only. No compromise.

Bord Gais payment plan is €75 per WEEK .

So like Mr Rabbitte says they will not cut you off if you have a meter installed or have a payment plan.
a. They wont install a meter
b. Their payment plan is virtually impossible on my weekly income.

So what do you do ? Any Thoughts on his statement yesterday.

seamus

Well to be fair I thought it was fairly clear yesterday that the commitment was that nobody would be cut off over the winter.

I imagine he didn't look too deeply into the specifics of the various companies' payment plans. Why not send a letter to him and your local TD outlining the frankly insane amounts that Bord Gais want you to pay back? He may not be aware of it.

Tbh, I thought he was going to announce specific legislation that made it illegal to withdraw primary services from anyone once the daytime temperatures dropped consistently below 5 degrees (or similar). It's something the energy regulator should be doing.

lucy2010

seamus wrote: »

Well to be fair I thought it was fairly clear yesterday that the commitment was that nobody would be cut off over the winter.

I imagine he didn't look too deeply into the specifics of the various companies' payment plans. Why not send a letter to him and your local TD outlining the frankly insane amounts that Bord Gais want you to pay back? He may not be aware of it.

Tbh, I thought he was going to announce specific legislation that made it illegal to withdraw primary services from anyone once the daytime temperatures dropped consistently below 5 degrees (or similar). It's something the energy regulator should be doing.

Now thats an idea .... & a very good one. Im more fearful for the elderly .As I said to the young girl on the phone today what choice do I have but to do this. The fuel allowance starts this week I think so it will be extra towards it but what about the pensioners who may be in a mess?

& thanks for that I never thought of writing to my local TD. Good positive idea ! Many thanks

Shelflife

Lucy go down to your local post office and pay as much as you can every week, if you show willing they will understand.
they may still threaten you but the fact that you are attempting to put it all right will stand to you.

Godge

Great news from Mr. Rabbitte.

Think I will stop paying my utility bills and put the money into a savings account with interest over the winter and clear all the bills next March, pocketing the interest gained in the meantime:rolleyes:.

dissed doc

"we've turned a corner"
"this is the cheapest bailout in the world"
"no utility cut-offs this winter"

Tora Bora

Rabbite says no power cut offs.
Kenny says no tax increases.
Gilmore says no wage cuts.
Kenny says no social welfare cuts.

That's good. Isn't it???

jimmycrackcorm

It's an ideal opportunity to make some savings on SW fraud by directing some of the SW payment to gas and electricity providers (much as a food voucher scheme would operate) but with no scope for black market abuse.

Its back to the arguments...can you save people from them selves, if you live on social welfare is your income enough to provide you with a warm home, should people be able to budget better etc.


Back on topic surly it would be easy to design a system where people were given a swipe card for electricity and gas which they could top up weekly and use that to pay for utilities, installing meters in peoples home which they top up with money is a very expensive way of helping people.