Some of Ireland’s most vulnerable consumers face a “shameful rip-off” in the form of top-ups to their energy meters, a new survey has revealed.

According to the Money, Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs), some people with pay-as-you-go energy meters are still being charged from 20 cent to €1 when they top up their cards.

“This is a shameful rip-off of the most financially vulnerable consumers,” the organisation said.

Pay-as-you-go meters have played a major role in helping gas and electricity customers avoid falling behind with payments or, in the worst case scenario, being disconnected.

Electric Ireland has installed 32,000 such meters free of charge for customers in arrears.

Bord Gáis Energy provided 50,000 gas meters and 7,000 electricity meters for customers in financial hardship.

Mabs carried out surveys in Ballyfermot, Cherry Orchard, Palmerstown and Chapelizod and found that the situation of retailers imposing surcharges has worsened since Mabs first highlighted the practice in May.

“These meters were installed for customers who were in arrears and/or finding it difficult, on a low income, to pay for big energy bills,” Mabs said. “These top up charges are often on top of an arrears payment already factored in before anything goes to current usage.”