HOMEOWNERS face the controversial prospect of paying for their water based on the size of their home, rather than their estimated usage. People with bigger houses face paying a higher temporary water charge than those with smaller homes from next year. The Irish Independent has now learnt an "assessed charge" – which will have to be paid until water meters are installed – is likely to be based on the physical size of a home, rather than the number of people in it. Sources involved in establishing the water tax say this is because it will be "impossible to police" the number of people living in a home, and it said "it is moving the way of property type". The charge could be as much as €400 a year, but "nobody will pay a flat rate", one source said. Information on properties – and the initial tax to be paid – could be gleaned from databases that exist from the €100 household charge and the property tax, once it has been fully established from this summer. Irish Water, the new body set up to collect the charges, will have access to records held by the Revenue Commissioners and the Local Government Management Agency. However, the exact cost of the assessed charge and water metering will be decided independently by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The bailout agreement with the troika compels the Government to bring in water charges next year. But the process of installing the meters only gets under way this summer, and will not be complete for three years. To meet the terms of the bailout, the Government will have to bring in the assessed charge – but sources say this will almost certainly be pushed back until after the local elections, not scheduled to take place until mid-2014. "It is a matter for the Government to decide the date it will be introduced," one source said. It is hoped as many as 500,000 meters will be installed by the summer of 2014. The Irish Independent has also learnt a "lead-in time" for metering is being considered. Under this proposal, being discussed in the Department of the Environment, homeowners will be able to monitor their water usage on a meter for a few months before paying the metered charge. "That way, people could see what they'd be paying, and might be shocked by their bills," a source said. Irish Water will also be allowed access to the Department of Social Protection records, and it is understood certain welfare recipients, as well as people with acute medical needs, will not pay the full amount of the charge. And it is now thought apartment blocks will have one meter installed which will measure the usage of all occupants – then the charges will be divided up per apartment.
I work for water services now and this is going to be huge over the next year,big changes on the way.the first bills will be rolling out to households around this time next year,that's the plan anyway.
This is complete nonsense. If they are not in a position to introduce water charges based on usage then they should postpone implementation. I cannot belive that the Government want to pull down even ire upon themselves by taking this approach.
Exactly, I'm sure most people would no issue paying for the water they use, rather than bringing more hate upon themselves with stupid idea's, raise the money another way until meters are installed. People on the dole getting off is another stroke of genius
We should all be renting, it's the only way, homeowners are basically renting from the banks anyway and your still getting fleeced with all these extra charges
I see what you're saying but landlords will just pass it on to the tennent anyway, so there's no way to avoid paying all these charges. Unless we start living in cardboard boxes..... Which is starting to look more attractive to me! Getting the fcuk out of this country is probably the best option, if practical.
It's what alot of other Europeans do. I just don't understand what happens once they retire... If you stop receiving an income how do you afford to pay rent/bills etc?
I think some countries have set agreements. My brother's father in-law owns a load of properties in Madrid, the tenants are all ancient and he receives peanuts from them, some of them are paying 1980's rates. He is literally waiting on them to die so he can start charging proper amounts for them.
Correct. Other countries, Germany is another example, have greater legal protections for renters and this allows them to rent for greater periods of time.
They are putting the water meters in down my way at the moment. The last three days the road has been like a bomb has hit it. Cars all over the shop as they block up the driveways and paths. Keep an eye as well that they put the driveway/path outside the house back they way they found it.
they were around my way for the last few weeks. Minor disturbance and I have to say a very tidy job when they left. I have been to a few other estates in my area and it was the same. Neat jobs all round
Spot on mate. I'd suggest you go take a couple of photos of them where they are working and let them see you do it - that'll help keep them focused on doing a good job, for fear they'll end up in an article in the Sunday World or somewhere
The corruption we are up against in Irish Water...and the country in general. http://www.broadsheet.ie/2014/01/22/faucet-we-havent-a-chance/ http://www.irishtimes.com/news/envi...cy-spend-on-irish-water-nothing-new-1.1651396
It would be funny if it wasn't so serious. After years of tribunals getting to the bottom of payments etc and all the public body pay and pension scandals of the past few years what to the govt do?? Yes create irish water and give them completely ridiculous bonus payments built into their salary. What a fcuking joke of a country.