Water charges: ‘Government literally cannot give away €100’

The low take-up of the water-conservation grant is an indication that opposition to water charges is so strong the Government “literally cannot give away €100”, according to an opposition party.

The Anti-Austerity Alliance made the claim after it emerged that fewer than 600,000 households have applied for the €100 grant ahead of the deadline at midnight on Thursday.

The Department of Social Protection sent about 1.3m letters to households with instructions on how those who have registered with Irish Water can receive the grant. Fewer than 600,000 households had applied as of yesterday.