Fianna Fail has slammed the Government for "deliberately keeping families in the dark" over proposed water charges.

The Taoiseach told the Dáil that families would pay an average of €240 per year in water charges, however it has emerged that it will be €278, which is 20% higher than was promised.

The party's spokesperson on Environment, Barry Cowen, TD, said: "The charges announced are only the beginning. The overall average cost per household for water is €594 per year, as the costs of providing water increases and the Government subsidy reduces, the Government will move towards full cost recovery and this will increase the charges further.

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"There has also been an alarming lack of scrutiny of the package of charges from the very start. The CER has a poor track record in representing the best interests of the people.

"These proposed charges have been subject to no scrutiny; there is no detail on the calculation of allowances and the CER twice failed to produce these details before the Oireachtas despite promising to do so. Taxpayers' money is being pumped into Irish Water and we have no idea how it is being used.

"The announcement will do nothing to ease the concerns of the average householder. People on the household benefits package will be fearful that any free allowance they will receive will be eroded just like the Government has done so with their entitlements. The government are introducing a cap of €278 for those with severe illnesses – this is very unfair."

(CD/JP)