Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Murphy is well aware, in November 2014 I announced a package of measures to ensure that domestic water charges are certain, affordable and clear. In relation to the payment of charges, a range of easy pay options will be in place, including direct debits, electronic funds transfer, payment by cash at any retail outlet with a paypoint or payzone sign or, importantly, a post office where a bill can be paid in full or part payments of a minimum of €5, which is a small amount, can be made.

Section 4 of the Water Services Act 2014 provides that where a customer has not paid any water charges within a period of 12 months after the issuing of the first demand and has not entered into, or is not complying with, a payment plan with Irish Water, a late payment fee shall be charged by Irish Water, for each year the charges remain unpaid.

Further legislation will be brought forward by the Government which will contain a range of measures to ensure that Irish Water will be in a position to recover charges from customers who have not paid bills. In addition, a range of measures will be pursued by Irish Water in order to maximise payment of charges, including robust revenue collections processes. The Government remains confident that Irish Water will pass the market corporation test. Ultimately, as the Deputy is well aware, that will be a matter for EUROSTAT, which is an independent entity.

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