Government facing anxious wait in advance of posting out first water bills

The Government is holding its breath in advance of the issuing of the first water bills next year.

With just under half of householders saying they will pay, the Coalition is hoping the reduced charges, and the introduction of budgetary tax concessions, will help appease people weary of austerity.

The passing of the Water Services Bill through the Oireachtas has paved the way for the introduction of the reduced charges after months of controversy and huge protest marches.

“The water charges could make or break us next year,’’ said a Government source. “I have never seen an issue to generate such public anger.’’

The charges will be €260 for a household with two adults or more, and €160 for a household with one adult. All will be entitled to a €100 water conservation grant.

There is no longer a requirement for PPS numbers and the charges will not be increased until 2018 at the earliest.

Revised system

Under the revised system, households must register by February 2nd. The first quarterly bills will be issued in April for water used in the first quarter of 2015.

The €100 water conservation grant will be paid by the Department of Social Protection in September 2015 but only to those households that have registered with Irish Water.

February 2nd will be a key date. At present some 900,000 households have registered. The Government will hope the number has substantially increased to well over one million by then.

An Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll revealed that 48 per cent of householders intend paying the charges and 33 per cent do not, with 11 per cent undecided and 8 per cent saying the issue did not apply to them.

Those refusing to pay will not have their water supply cut off or reduced, but there will be penalties.

There will be a statutory charge on property, while landlords will be able to withhold water charge arrears from private tenants and pay them to Irish Water.

Local authorities will be responsible for recovering arrears from their tenants and passing the money on to Irish Water. The company can also take people to court if they do not pay their bills.

Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly has said those refusing to pay would not face fines for at least 15 months. "Too long, if you want people to pay,'' said a Government backbencher privately.