Water charge aid likely for elderly and carers

Pensioners, carers, and people with disabilities could be given financial assistance to pay for household water usage under a compromise being considered between the Coalition parties over the proposed charge.

Talks between Labour and Fine Gael are expected in the next 48 hours to try to reach agreement on water charges ahead of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.

However, significant differences remain, and final details are not expected to be agreed before ministers meet after the Easter break.

The Labour Party wants the proposed €50 standing charge — paid regardless of water usage — to be taken out of the overall bills, which are expected to average around €240 a year.

However, in the event of the standing charge remaining, Labour wants provision under the existing social welfare system to cut costs for “vulnerable groups”, including pensioners, people with disabilities, and carers.

This would require extra money for Joan Burton’s Department of Social Protection — something Fine Gael ministers are likely to resist because it would reduce the overall €500m expected to be gained for the exchequer by water charges.

A figure is not yet available, but its believed the sum needed by the Department of Social Welfare would not be huge in the context of its overall budget, and would be in the region of tens, rather than hundreds, of millions of euro.

The payment could be made by adding a small sum to the Household Benefits Package — worth around €35 a month per household to cover electricity or gas bills. The benefit is available to everyone over 70, and those over 65 who are widowed or caring for another person, or living alone and in receipt of a state pensions. It is also available to under-65s who are entitled to disability allowance.

Asked about the possibility of more money being given to the Department of Social Protection to fund the charge for vulnerable people, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said: “That will be discussed at Cabinet; these are difficult decisions.”

The possibility of funding the water charges via the exceptional needs payment — given to less well-off families for one-off costs — is also being considered.

Independent TD Catherine Murphy said there are “a huge number of people who are at breaking point already ad this extra bill pushes them over the line”.

She said householders are worried about what they will be paying for, especially when “gigantic sums” go to consultants and staff bonuses at Irish Water.