Water fee waiver for low-income households

LOW-income households will be exempt from paying a proposed water charge according to Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who admitted that the policy – agreed with the Green Party last week – still requires “further detailed examination”.

The introduction of water rates was agreed in the Programme for Government, but Mr Cowen told the Dáil yesterday that “no definitive or detailed framework for the implementation of the commitment can be spelled out at this point”.

It’s understood there is disagreement between the Green Party members in government, who want a pay-per-use water charge, and the Department of Finance, which favours a flat fee.