Subsidies could see Irish Water bills rise to €350

Middle-income earners could see their Irish Water bills hiked to over €350 if imminent government formation talks result in new subsidies for vulnerable people.

Nevin Economic Research Institute macro-economist, Dr Tom McDonnell, made the claim after a week of drama over the future of the controversial utility.

Writing in the NERI blog after growing Government acceptance that some changes will have to be made, Dr McDonnell said the “major problem” is bills risk pushing “low- income houses closer to or further into poverty”.