The ESB customer complaints arbitrator, Mr Denis Henderson, received 226 complaints from customers last year, an increase of four per cent, according to his report for 2001 launched this afternoon.
The largest number of complaints concerned network issues (74 per cent), the majority of which concerned quality of supply (52), metering (31), supply connections(24), and quality of work(22).
Over the course of 2001, ex gratiapayments totalling €24,897 were made to ESB customers in respect of 53 complaints, an increase of 33 per cent on the previous year.
Mr Henderson warned that the changing market would lead to customer confusion and suggested steps be taken to inform customers of new market structures.