The Minister for Environment is being urged to explain how many lower income families will benefit nothing from the Irish Water tax reliefs.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment, Barry Cowen TD, said households were left confused following the announcement of allowances and tax reliefs on water charges.

Deputy Cowen said: "A mix of allowances for people on the Household Benefits Package and the Fuel Allowance together with various tax reliefs left many people scratching their heads as to whether they are entitled to any relief from their water charges.

-- Advertisement --

"Incredibly, it now transpires that families on low incomes that don't earn enough money to pay tax will be entitled to no relief at all. The Tánaiste admitted as much on national radio this morning but the Government must do more than 'have a look' at this glaring anomaly.

"For the last three years, I have called for an ability to pay clause to be considered in relation to water charges but the Government ignored these repeated requests. In a desperate attempt to save face after massive protests over the weekend, Fine Gael and Labour rushed through a tax relief measure which was not properly researched and thought out. The Government has now been caught out with this panic measure.

"It is quite obvious that the line Minister Alan Kelly wants nothing to do with the disaster that is Irish Water, but who is taking responsibility here? As the days go by the Government continues to mishandle Irish Water and infuriate an already angry public."

(CD/JP)