Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are several things the Deputy needs to bear in mind. The water regulator has determined that the average bill will be less than €240 per year, has confirmed that 80% of all bills will be less than €24 per month, given the allowances already laid out, and ordered that there be a reduction in the cost base of Irish Water of €170 million by 2016, that is, a reduction of 8% and includes a substantial element of pay. The household allowance will cover 40% of the water supplied to a person who lives alone. That person will pay approximately 50 cent per day for water, which is approximately €138 per year. Over 400,000 recipients of the household benefit package will get an extra €100 a year for that. In many cases of special medical requirements, where a lot of water must be used for particular complaints and circumstances, that will be capped.

See this speech in context