Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If the Minister expects people to support this important legislation, the least we are entitled to know is whether this model stacks up or not. The question is reasonable. Will it cost the State to charge people for water? It is a basic question and we have a right to know the answer before a decision is taken on this legislation.

The Minister has already talked about the revenue being €271 million and he also gave a figure of €130 million for the cost of the grant. That leaves €141 million. As I asked earlier, what is the estimated cost of bringing in those charges from the public, writing to every household and processing the charges four times a year, and what is the cost of writing the cheques for €100?

Will the Minister indicate the administrative costs for both Irish Water and the Department of Social Protection?

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