Water funding to be reviewed as charges scrapped

After three years of protests, debates during elections and claims of a “failed” charging regime, TDs have voted in the Dail to abolish the current system and scrap water charges.

After recommendations by an Oireachtas water committee to only keep an “excess” usage levy and to continue metering new builds, the Dáil voted by 96 to 48 to scrap charges. Terms for the funding of water services will now be reviewed by Housing Minister Simon Coveney, who will ask Attorney General Maire Whelan to assess legislation.

Under the committee proposals, households are set to get refunds from the €160m paid in bills under the old charging regime. The detail of the excess usage levy, how much it will be and when and how it will apply will also be worked out by the Department of Environment.