National Parents Council wants all schoolkids to be exempt from water charges

Concerns are being expressed over the water charges facing the parents of 18 year olds who are still in school.

The National Parents Council says the teenagers will not qualify for child allowances, and unless they leave school, they will not be entitled to a social welfare payment.

Its post-primary group is warning it will contribute to a growing sense in working class families that 18 or 19 year olds are better off "signing on", than finishing school.

The Council wants all school-goers to be exempt from water charges.