Charge to affect everyone except low-income households

The Government is introducing a new €100 household charge from next January to be replaced by a full property tax two years later.

But, the Environment Minister Phil Hogan is warning separate water charges will also be introduced from 2014.

Up to 1.6 million households will have to pay the new charge, which is a requirement of the EU/IMF bailout, to fund local services.

Almost 250,000 households, including those in some unfinished estates and those getting mortgage supplements, will get a waiver.

Minister Phil Hogan says this charge will be replaced by a property tax and water charges.

Everyone will be affected, whether they own a mansion in Dublin 4 or a cottage in Donegal.

It is also expected that, since it is the owner who pays the charge, landlords will be passing the charge on to renters.