DUBLIN, Ireland: Bills sent to residential consumers in August by Electric Ireland will see costs charged for gas increased by 29.2 percent and electricity bills will be 10.9 percent higher.

The impact on the average homeowner will be 13.71 euros per month for electricity and 25.96 euros for gas.

Electric Ireland said the change will come into effect on 1 August.

The August increase follows a jump in electricity bills by 23.4 percent in March and gas bills by 24.8 percent.

"Unfortunately, the situation in Eastern Europe and a reduction in the reliability of gas flows has resulted in sustained higher energy costs throughout Europe," said Interim Executive Director of Electric Ireland Suzanne Ward, as quoted by RTE.

"We have seen a very substantial increase in the cost of wholesale gas, which in turn, impacts both our gas and electricity prices," she added.

Ward noted that Electric Ireland can assist those struggling to pay the increased costs with flexible payment plans.

In 2021 there were over 35 price hike announcements from Irish energy suppliers. In 2022, major suppliers of energy in Ireland raising prices include Bord Gis Energy, Energia and PrePayPower.

Meanwhile, in March the Government signed in to law a €200 credit placed on the bills of residential consumers.

"The Economic and Social Research Institute said that the 200 euro scheme was the most effective for low income houses, and it's those types of measures that can be repeated again this year," said Sean Fleming, Minister of State in the Department of Finance, according to RTE.

"Most of these electricity and gas suppliers have a hardship fund in place for customers."