Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of providing a flat €100 tax credit against water charges; the way this differs in cost from the tax credit proposed in the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42698/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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On the assumption that the Deputy means a €100 tax credit to be delivered at source in respect of every household in the State, the approximate cost would be €165 million, based on an estimated 1.65 million households in the State. 

The tax relief announced in the Budget was provisionally estimated to cost €40 million. As previously indicated to the Deputy, a  number of measures were announced on Budget day to improve the overall affordability of water charges. The objective of these supports is to assist households in the country who pay their Water bills.

Following on from the announcement on Budget day, officials from my Department are working closely with their colleagues in the other relevant Departments and Agencies, in the development of the processes that will be employed to deliver the relief.

As I stated on Budget day and subsequently, we will design the measure as broadly and efficiently as possible, to ensure that the relief reaches all households who pay their charges.