Water charges may net just €40m

Water charge collections will net the exchequer just €40m this year after costs are deducted for billing customers and giving households rebates, it has been claimed.

The claim comes ahead of further marches in towns and cities this weekend before a deadline for households to register for the new charging regime on Monday.

Opposition party TDs yesterday expressed shock that despite a spend of over €500m on installing water meters nationwide, only tens of millions may be collected from charges this year.