Irish Water has paid out over €5.1 million in bonuses from the beginning of this year, Fianna Fáil has revealed.

Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Sean Fleming said this raises serious questions for the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach told the Dáil on 7th October that "no bonuses have been paid to anyone in Irish Water".

Deputy Fleming said: "I have received correspondence from Ervia, the parent company for Irish Water and Bord Gáis Networks, which reveals that 545 staff shared €3.7m in bonuses in 2013 but there has been a massive jump in bonuses paid out this year.

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"So far in 2014 Ervia has paid €5.1m in bonuses to 940 staff. Are we really expected to believe that this does not include any bonuses being paid to staff at Irish Water? The Taoiseach told the Dáil on October 7th that "no bonuses have been paid to anyone in Irish Water". Does he stand over that statement today?

"It is clear that Irish Water is a massive drain on the taxpayer and households haven't even had their first water bill yet. Fianna Fáil has consistently pointed out that the set-up of Irish Water has been ill conceived from the outset."

(CD/MH)