The latest figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities indicate that July was the worst on record for long-term energy arrears, highlighting mounting pressure on households.

Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan described the figures as "appalling".

She said: "It's an absolute insult that July is the month that the government was to publish a report on its 'energy affordability Taskforce' but instead it's the month where we're seeing more people than ever before in arrears on their energy bills for more than 90 days.

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"Worse than this, this July was the worst since records began for energy arrears, and the government has done absolutely nothing to tackle this issue.

"They've stood back for years, doing nothing to tackle the structural problems that contribute to high energy prices here, while claiming that their latest talking shop, the affordability task force, will somehow solve the crisis."

Boylan said Sinn Féin will include a proposal for €400 energy credits in its alternative budget to help families with rising costs.

She said: "We already have the most expensive electricity bills in the EU and the highest concentration of data centres in the EU, yet government is encouraging more of them.

"The government needs to use its upcoming budget to take real measures to help people struggling with energy costs, rather than standing back and doing nothing."