Energy Minister, Pat Rabbitte T.D., has launched a new code of practice from energy suppliers at the Dublin headquarters of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

The 'Energy Engage Code', aimed at protecting customers in financial difficulty, has been voluntarily adopted by the five main energy suppliers and will come into effect on June 1.

Minister Rabbitte said: "Many families continue to struggle with bills, that is clear and I am determined to ease the burden on these families. This code of practice is a first step in that direction. It creates new mechanisms to help customers having difficulty with their energy bills and gives a very simple, clear commitment from energy suppliers to consumers - if you engage with your supplier your energy supply will not be cut off.

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"I would like to thank the energy suppliers for developing this code of practice and I urge those in financial difficulty to pick up the phone to their supplier or to one of the organisations who can help you such as Saint Vincent de Paul or MABS."

Under the 'Energy Engage Code',suppliers will guarantee that no customer engaging with them will be cut off. They will seek to identify vulnerable customers at an earlier stage and will treat each customer individually, with realistic and achievable payment plans offered to any customer in difficulty. The new Code will be independently audited to ensure that all energy suppliers are complying with it.

The publication of the code follows months of intensive work by a taskforce formed by the Minister to examine what could be done to better protect energy consumers in financial difficulty. While the taskforce was doing its work there was a complete moratorium on the disconnection of the energy supplies for all domestic customers from December to February.

(CD/MH)