Simple and affordable plan for water provides certainty and secures investment – Twomey

Fine Gael TD for Wexford, Liam Twomey has said the Government’s water charges package provides a fair, simple and affordable plan for people ahead of the introduction of water charges next January. Deputy Twomey welcomed the announcement that addresses the concerns expressed over the last few months.

“To ensure simplicity, charges will be capped at €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households. Once the universal Water Conservation Grant of €100 is applied the maximum net charges will be €60 per year, or just over €1.00 per week for single adult households. All other households’ maximum net charge will be €160 per year, or €3.00 per week.

“The installation of water meters will continue – meters reduce bills and find leaks. Over forty percent of our water is leaking away. Minister Kelly gave the example of 22 households that at a cumulative level leaking over one million litres a day into their driveways. That is enough to serve the needs of Gorey for one day.

“People with meters will be charged the capped or metered rate, whichever is lower, allowing them to beat the cap by conserving water. If metered households can reduce their water consumption by between ten and fifteen per cent, then approximately half of Irish households will be able to ‘beat the cap’ and receive bills lower than the capped charges. 

“Water will remain in public ownership. The Government will legislate to ensure any proposed change in the ownership of Irish Water would be required to be put before the people.

“We have listened to people and arrived at a fair and affordable solution that gives people certainty while allowing the country to invest in our broken water infrastructure.”