The Tanaiste has today confirmed that there will indeed by a €100 social welfare payment available to ‘contribute’ towards the water charges. Households will need to apply for this supplement, but who and when will be entitled to this ‘help’ has not yet been clarified. The Department of Social Protection will be in charge of managing this payment.
And she also reiterated that she stands over her previous comments that a family of four adults will be asked to pay €200 euro per year for their water.
She also added that she ‘would like to see the flat-rate levy extended to a period of three to four years.’
In the meantime, another nationwide protest against water charges is scheduled to go ahead on December 10th.