Fianna Fail has accused the Government of "fleecing families with grown up children" over the proposed water charges.

The party is calling on the Government to produce "firm evidence" to back up the 45% reduction in the water allowance for children.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance, Michael McGrath TD, said: "The government's claim that the average level of water charges per household would be €240 was based on an allowance per child of 38,000 litres and Phil Hogan's estimate that a single adult used 78,000 litres per annum.

"The CER's estimate of an average bill of €278 per annum is based on entirely different assumptions – an allowance per child of 21,000 litres and consumption of 66,000 litres per annum for a single occupancy household.

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"The government's assertion that its average household water charge has been honoured is based on creative accounting and is designed to mislead voters again. It's like saying that the €5 price of a bag of apples hasn't changed – even though you now only get six apples in the bag instead of 10.

"The dramatic 45% reduction in the allowance per child has to be independently verified. The suspicion here is that, far from it being free, families will in fact end up paying for much of the water used by children. The CER needs to publish its evidence that an allowance of only 21,000 litres per annum is sufficient.

"The position concerning the charging young adults is a cause of serious concern. At the moment, on reaching the age of 18, no further water allowance is available for a teenager. This means that many teenagers doing their Leaving Certificate and attending third level college will be subject to the full level of water charges."

(CD/JP)