15/07/2015

Irish Water Billing Figures 'Another Nail In The Coffin' - FF

Figures showing that just 43% of Irish Water's 1.5m customer base has paid its first bill has been described as "another nail in the coffin" of its credibility.

Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Environment and Local Government, Barry Cowen, made the comment on figures showing that €30.5m of an expected €66.8m has been collected in the first billing period.

"If this payment rate continues Irish Water will gain annual revenue of €120m in domestic water charges. The Government is budgeted to pay out €130m in the Water Conservation grant and €25m is due in interest repayments on water meter loans this September. On this basis the Government will actually end up losing €35m because of water charges," Deputy Cowen said.

"The credibility of the Government’s water charges system and the Irish Water super quango is entirely shot through.

"The financial black hole the Government set up is becoming all too clear. €540m on water meters will be essentially wasted for at least another five years. €80m was spent on consultants as part of €172m in setting up Irish Water. €45m is spent on operating Irish Water every year. Altogether on current payment rates Irish Water will leave the tax payer a stunning total of €785m worse off this year than if it had never been set up."

(MH)

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