The CRU says that people who switched to the best available tariff, or those who renegotiated every year for the past four years, could have saved around €2,500 on their bills.

Simon Harris was told his advice that people should not be afraid to turn their heating on was ‘cold comfort’.

Social Protection Minister, Dara Calleary, said it is a vital payment heading into winter.

Another 175,000 domestic gas customers and over 27,000 small firms were behind on their bills.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore accused the Government of ‘throwing public money around like snuff at a wake’.

Switcher.ie has said that six easy changes can slash energy bills for households.