Shortfall of €35m as 20% of households set to snub water grants

The Government has under budgeted for its water conservation grants and said this is because it expects that over a fifth of households next year will not apply for the allowance to help pay bills.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has admitted that the money set aside for the annual €100 grant for households is €35m below that needed to cover all homes in the State.

The Labour minister says this is because not all households are expected to apply for the grant next year.