320,000 households in Ireland are in energy arrears.

Omissions

• The claim uses the term 'energy arrears' but the widely cited CRU figure of ~317,000–320,000 specifically tracks electricity arrears, not all energy types (gas arrears are reported separately).
• The most recent CRU data available at the time of the session (February 2026) showed approximately 317,000 households in electricity arrears, marginally below the claimed 320,000.
• The CSO's Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) for 2025 found that 8.3% of households had utility bill arrears — a survey-based metric that yields a lower absolute figure (~174,000 households) but covers a broader definition of utility bills and uses a different methodology than the CRU's administrative count.
• The MEP did not cite a specific source for the figure, and the data referenced comes from secondary news reports citing CRU data rather than a direct primary source publication.

Sources

• PrimaryCentral Statistics Office (CSO) IrelandIn 2025, of households that had utility bills, 8.3% had arrears on utility bills, with 6.3% failing to make a payment on time twice or more in the previous 12 months.
• SecondaryBreakingNews.ieNearly 320,000 homes in arrears on their electricity bill at the end of 2025. Data from the CRU showed that one in seven households was behind on their electricity bills at the end of 2025.
• SecondaryIrish IndependentFigures released by the energy regulator show that there were close to 317,000 households behind on their electricity bills in February [2026]. The number of households in electricity arrears rose by 58,500.
• SecondaryRTÉ NewsOver 300,000 [households] in arrears [on electricity bills]; 154 electricity customers were disconnected for not paying their bills in February [2026].