One in five insist they will not pay their water bills Research says 270,000 unlikely to pay charges PUBLISHED 05/10/2014 | 02:30115 COMMENTSSHARE As billing for water services commenced last week, Irish Water is severely limited in its options to force people to pay. As billing for water services commenced last week, Irish Water is severely limited in its options to force people to pay. UP to 20pc of households are unlikely to pay their water charges, research carried out by Irish Water has found. New Bankruptcy Laws Bankruptcy can give a fresh start. Find out if it is right for you. nationaldebtrelief.ie €10 Life Insurance Life Insurance from €10 / month. Get An Instant Quote in 30 Seconds. irishinsurance.ie/Life-Insurance Ads by Google SHARE GO TO The survey — seen by the Sunday Independent — suggests as many as 270,000 eligible households are unlikely to pay the controversial charges when bills land next January. This would leave the Government, which has said it will not cut off the water of those who don’t pay, in a nightmare scenario as their options to force people to pay are extremely limited. The most common reason given for not paying was because respondents disagreed “in principle” with water charges, followed by affordability issues, poor water quality, a belief they were already paying for water, and water wastage through leaking pipes. As billing for water services commenced last week, Irish Water is severely limited in its options to force people to pay. Unlike other utilities such as Electric Ireland or Bord Gais, Irish Water will not have the power to cut off the supply to any home. The most it can do is restrict the supply to a “trickle”. It has emerged that there is no legal minimum flow that Irish Water must continue to supply to homes even in a restriction scenario, as where a house is located on a certain supply pipe would impact on the water pressure. Water charges: know your rights WILL YOU PAY YOUR IRISH WATER BILL? Will you pay your Irish Water bill when it comes through the door? Yes No VOTE ResultsNext Read more: Irish Water: your rights to complain have gone The Sunday Independent has learned it will only be possible to restrict supply to homes with individual water lines off the main network. This raises the scenario that apartment owners or homes on a shared supply, even if they refuse to pay, are unlikely to ever see their supply restricted. Irish Water is adamant that moving to a restriction of supply is a “last resort” and that it would hope that the incentive of the allowances will be sufficient to encourage as great a level of compliance as possible. A couple with two children who would pay €278 under the assessed charge system will be charged €630 a year if they do not sign up when metering charges begin next July. This is because those who fail to provide details will lose their free allowances and will be asked to pay the full cost of drinking and waste water services. However, anti-water charges groups have been stepping up their calls for the public to defy Irish Water and not pay. Socialist TD Ruth Coppinger, speaking in the Dail last week, called on the public not to pay the water charges, in a bid to get enough people to refuse to comply as to make the system unworkable. Read more: Know your rights should you fall behind on water charges An Irish Water spokeswoman said that like other utility companies, Irish Water would be able to bring those who refuse to engage with them to court, but accepted that it was only for debt recovery. She said they would seek to find workable solutions for those people struggling to pay, but Irish Water must try and protect those customers who play by the rules. “Of course, for those who are finding it difficult to meet the bills, we will ask them to engage with us to find a solution that works for everyone. But, for those who won’t pay, we have a range of options to try to ensure compliance. But we have to ensure we protect those customers who pay on time,” said the Irish Water spokeswoman. Irish Water said last week that landlords would not be held liable for arrears of water charges built up by their tenants. The utility firm said landlords would be sent application packs for their rental properties, which they must forward to the tenants. In the case of an owner-occupier, the full allowances in relation to water usage are allocated in the normal way and the occupier is liable for the bill. A spokeswoman explained that if the property was unoccupied, the landlord could claim unoccupied-dwelling status and pay a set charge. The level of this is still under consideration by the regulator. In this case the landlord is liable for the charge. However, in the case of a rented property, Irish Water said: “The tenant is liable for the charge and is also eligible for the allowances, as the property is the principal primary residence of that household.” Read more: Water watchdog staff net almost €1m in bonuses Yesterday it emerged that those refusing to register with Irish Water by the end of the month will be hit with bills that are likely to be twice as much as they would pay if they provided the information. There has been a fall in numbers saying they would not pay. In 2012, a similar survey found 30pc were unlikely to pay. Earlier this summer, it emerged that Irish Water had identified political interference and customers not paying as the two biggest threats to its viability. History of charges Water charges have haunted the political ‘to-do’ list since domestic rates were abolished in 1977. In the 1990s, an attempt was made to introduce water charges. This failed after widespread public protest. Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins, then chairman of the Dublin Anti Water Charges Campaign, forced the abolition of water charges in Dublin in 1996. The same year then Environment Minister Brendan Howlin announced the water charge was going to be replaced by a new system whereby the road tax collected in each area would be the source for council funding Related Content Irish Water might get clearer, but only one drop at a time Irish Water: your rights to complain have gone Water watchdog staff net almost €1m in bonuses We compare... shower heads YOUR COMMENTS Comments that are judged to be defamatory, abusive or in bad taste are not acceptable and contributors who consistently fall below certain criteria will be permanently blacklisted. Comments must be concise and to the point. The moderator will not enter into debate with individual contributors and the moderator’s decision is final. The comment facility is removed after 48 hours. Sign in orRegister Share Post comment as... Newest | Oldest 198321 47 minutes ago I am for water charges and I am for improving water system in Ireland. I am against huge bonuses that they people working for water company will for sure receive, I am against CEO pay, consultation fees. They have so many scandals even before charging began and their job was to bring confidence that money we pay are going to be used for good thing. I will most likely pay as I do not have money issues, but if I see trend towards not paying I might join it. I am having great life, but I do feel for low income people and I can only imagine how angry they are with all of this ... FlagShare1LikeReply Mondeoman 54 minutes ago Biggest scam ever... only the weak minded will pay this.... ohhh theyll get revenue after us... wake up people and know your rights.... you cannot be forced to sign up to any private company... Return your form to Irish Water saying thank you very much but I will not be taking out a contract with you,... and thats it... your water will then be free FlagShare2LikeReply tonystorm 1 hour ago If the sheeple accept this scam then theyll accept the planned TAX on harvesting rainwater... Really, what a nation of sheep... saints & scholars me hole... fighting irish me arse... More like the roll over irish... or a bit simple irish.. FlagShare2LikeReply Raymuller 26 minutes ago @tonystorm Totally agree. Actually in Poland they have a roof tax! People who harvest rainwater are taxed on the size of the roofs! No of us get what we deserve but we all deserve what we get! FlagShareLikeReply spn33 2 hours ago An Irish Water spokeswoman said that like other utility companies, Irish Water would be able to bring those who refuse to engage with them to court, but accepted that it was only for debt recovery. She said they would seek to find workable solutions for those people struggling to pay, but Irish Water must try and protect those customers who play by the rules. - WHO IS THIS IW SPOKESWOMAN YOU SPEAK OF? DIDNT CATCH HER NAME?? OR ARE YOU PROTECTING HER FROM THE ONSLAUGHT OF RESISTANCE SHE WILL FACE?? Is IW really going to bring the whole country to court? Thats whats on the cards if they keep up this charade.. NO CONTRACT. NO CONSENT. GET IT? FlagShare3LikeReply gobbler 2 hours ago Before the Bail out it was called water, After the Bail out its now called a resorce! On yer bike ye bandits in Leinster house..... FlagShare5LikeReply philo1966 2 hours ago Instead of paying for your water just build a 1000 liter tank on your roof and catch the rain water. See how that works for you. FlagShareLikeReply JohnMulligan 1 hour ago Itll fall through your roof. FlagShare1LikeReply Chris-Stubley 3 hours ago The irony is, if nobody pays, and it fails like it did in 1996, then do we get a refund on the 160 million it cost to set up Irish water? I doubt it! trebles all round, as they say. FlagShareLikeReply Mariadisgusted 4 hours ago According to post office, 98% of application packs have been returned to sender unopened !! Lol FlagShare4LikeReply 198321 46 minutes ago @Mariadisgusted I dont think so FlagShareLikeReply FGLabourHero 4 hours ago Just an FYI to FG party HQ who tell untruths about been disconnected for failing to pay. IW can turn down the pressure which can make washing machines etc difficult to use .. BUT THEY CANNOT TURN OFF WATER, if they do, you have them by the short and curlies. Even with that, they cant do this on an individual basis for say apartment blocks and the majority of estates - THEY CURRENTLY DO NOT POSSES THE TECHNOLOGY TO ENFORCE THIS. FlagShare2LikeReply Conor_Myers 4 hours ago Most people will pay because most people wont waste their time whinging and moaning about paying for things twice, whether or not its a tax, blah blah blah. Most people understand the reality that the government needs to raise more in taxes and refuse to get worked up over what the new tax is called or what it is supposedly levied on. Sensible people concentrate their energies on ensuring that it is introduced in a fair manner with adequate allowances to reflect reasonable levels of consumption. It was the same with the property tax - people moaning about the bank owning their house, getting no services in rural areas blah blah blah instead of ensuring a fair method of assessment. Depressing stuff from a minority of perennial moaners. FlagShare1LikeReply ballydhob 4 hours ago @Conor_Myers You sound like a barrel of laughs. FlagShare4LikeReply Conor_Myers 2 hours ago @ballydhob @Conor_Myers Would you blame me after reading all the sh*te posted here! FlagShareLikeReply laideebyrd 3 hours ago @Conor_Myers Sensible people concentrate their energies on ensuring that it is introduced in a fair manner with adequate allowances to reflect reasonable levels of consumption. - Agreed, and that is a large part of the objection to the water charge as it currently stands. It is an inequitable tax, hitting those on low incomes disproportionately - and as for those with medical conditions, the disabled, the elderly - there are currently no significant waivers or allowances. It has been announced that Irish Water will wait at least another two years before even drawing up a list of relevant medical conditions. Seeking a fair social and economic system for all is a responsibility of every citizen and those who label those who do voice their concerns Moaners and Whingers should look to themselves. FlagShare1LikeReply Conor_Myers 2 hours ago @laideebyrd @Conor_Myers The most common reason given for not paying was because respondents disagreed “in principle” with water charges, followed by affordability issues, poor water quality, a belief they were already paying for water, and water wastage through leaking pipes. Im being very clear who Im labelling as whingers and moaners and it isnt those voicing the concerns you refer to. FlagShareLikeReply thorneel 3 hours ago @Conor_Myers Been working for Irish water long Conor? lol No consent, No contract! Jog on. FlagShare4LikeReply Conor_Myers 2 hours ago @thorneel @Conor_Myers No consent, No contract! Jog on. Yes - thats a very clever loophole youve found in the whole water charging infrastructure. ROTFLMAO! FlagShareLikeReply Raymuller 1 hour ago @Conor_Myers Most people who will pay, and call others moaners and whingers, do so to mask their own subservient cowardice. There is nothing sensible about paying for something twice! To do so is blatantly stupid. Sensible people understand this is nothing to do with fair methods of assessment to reflect reasonable levels of consumption or any other disingenuous tripe. It has to do with extorting revenue to pay the gambling debts of EU bond holders! FlagShare1LikeReply Captain_Z 4 hours ago 270,000.. thats a lot of VOTES lost by FG at the next general election! FlagShare4LikeReply philo1966 3 hours ago @Captain_Z Thats a lot of votes for ff. FlagShareLikeReply Forthill 2 hours ago @philo1966 @Captain_Z Not if they are going to stick with Irish Water. FlagShare2LikeReply aaos_fair 2 hours ago @Captain_Z just like all those who weren;t going to pay the LPT, FlagShareLikeReply LizzyB 4 hours ago Right2Water Protest March this on this Saturday, (Oct 11th), from Parnell Square at 2pm. FlagShare7LikeReply CafeteriaRC 4 hours ago If you do not pay for your H2O, you get no H2O. Others must not pay for the H2O on your side of the H2O meter. FlagShareLikeReply FGLabourHero 4 hours ago @CafeteriaRC We already pay for water on the treble . If you cared to check we already pay for it out of income tax PLUS VAT and MOTOR TAX was raised in the 90a SPECIFICALLY to pay for water - but letting the public know these facts doesnt suit FG HQ agenda does it. FlagShare4LikeReply CafeteriaRC 4 hours ago @FGLabourHero @CafeteriaRC The water on your side of the water meter must be paid by the user which is you, not by others. All paid for the water reservoirs, pipes and so on but not the water . FlagShareLikeReply Forthill 2 hours ago @CafeteriaRC @FGLabourHero .....and the yearly 1.2 billion being paid already? FlagShare2LikeReply FGLabourHero 44 minutes ago @CafeteriaRC @FGLabourHero I do pay for it ... If you cared to check we already pay for it out of income tax PLUS VAT and MOTOR TAX was raised in the 90a SPECIFICALLY to pay for water -. FlagShare1LikeReply aaos_fair 2 hours ago @FGLabourHero @CafeteriaRC and then motor tax went down with the emissions rule less tax. then spending went down less tax. When VAT went up to cover rates the standard of water treatment before use and after was very poor and not just here. We now demand much better quality and it must be paid for. FlagShareLikeReply joe905x 5 hours ago tinkernoseyparSHEEP has landed lads no one is safe.baa ram ewe tinker. FlagShare2LikeReply Raymuller 4 hours ago @joe905x Wise men can learn more from a fools answer than a fool can from a wise answer! Dont feed to Troll! FlagShare3LikeReply gobbler 5 hours ago The Germans wont like that! FlagShareLikeReply TinkerNoseyparS 5 hours ago @gobbler Its always the fault of Johnny Foreigner. Its never down to backward Irish systems employed by backward Irish people. FlagShareLikeReply TinkerNoseyparS 5 hours ago Cant wait to read the moaning below... FlagShareLikeReply FGLabourHero 5 hours ago @TinkerNoseyparS Can wait to see how FG party HQ try to stir things up ... FlagShare3LikeReply Forthill 6 hours ago Yesterday it emerged that those refusing to register with Irish Water..... Since when was legislation introduced that people had to register or apply to a PRIVATE COMPANY and then to be penalised by them with financial penalties for not doing so? FlagShare8LikeReply TinkerNoseyparS 5 hours ago @Forthill Well, you ARE accepting the terms of service by using the service? FlagShareLikeReply Forthill 5 hours ago @TinkerNoseyparS @Forthill NO, the terms changed when they privatised it and I was not informed. FlagShare4LikeReply TinkerNoseyparS 5 hours ago @Forthill @TinkerNoseyparS NO, there were no terms of service when the local authority was supplying your water. You were merely taking it for granted. By the way, it hasnt been privatised. FlagShareLikeReply LizzyB 4 hours ago @TinkerNoseyparS @Forthill it hasnt been privatized ... yet FlagShareLikeReply Forthill 4 hours ago @TinkerNoseyparS @Forthill It has.......check for yourself. FlagShare1LikeReply oOAnnOo 4 hours ago @TinkerNoseyparS @Forthill YET, but it will thats guaranteed FlagShare1LikeReply CafeteriaRC 4 hours ago @Forthill @TinkerNoseyparS You know now. FlagShareLikeReply FGLabourHero 5 hours ago @TinkerNoseyparS @Forthill NOT TRUE. No Contact has been agreed - any idiot who knows anything about contract law would tell you this in less than 2 minutes. FlagShare5LikeReply Johnnyboy 5 hours ago @Forthill I totally agree. Who do these people think they are? Watch this space though, because when people refuse to pay to a private company well be told that its the law. Complete and utter rubbish! FlagShare5LikeReply gobbler 5 hours ago @Forthill Pure Fascism.... FlagShareLikeReply Raymuller 4 hours ago @gobbler @Forthill Not Fascism, Zionism! FlagShare1LikeReply aaos_fair 2 hours ago @Forthill its a public company not private FlagShareLikeReply Show More Comments Powered by Livefyre Read More Two young Red deer stags practice their rutting in the long grass in Richmond Park, London Loose stags killed and car destroyed in road collisions last night Geraldine Gittens and Anita McSorley Gardai have warned drivers to expect the unexpected as a loose stag was involved in a collision with a car last night . Mary Lou McDonald TD. Picture: Tom Burke Mary Lou forced to apologise over fake online chat Daniel McConnell Sinn Fein Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald was forced into an embarrassing apology having inadvertently shared a fake Facebook conversation, allegedly involving former Socialist MEP Paul Murphy. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan s Pension levy too good to give up James Fitzsimons The Budget, which is little more than a week away, is one of the most eagerly awaited in living memory. The last seven were emergency and austerity budgets and were filled with doom and gloom. The Government is committed to another €2bn in tax hikes and spending cuts, but a rising economy could change all that and well know... by TaboolaRECOMMENDED VIDEO Shocking Footage: Womans Road-Rage Attack Caught On CCTV Dublin Zoo faces criminal prosecution after girl (2) and her mother mauled by tapir VIDEO - RoadRage: Motorist swerves car in front of lorry to give abuse by TaboolaSponsored LinksFROM THE WEB Learn A Language In Just 180 Days: Accept The Challenge Rosetta Stone Say Goodbye To Snoring With This Cool Tip LifeGooroo This photographer should have put the camera down in these 13 Pictures ViralFaze New Bankruptcy Laws Bankruptcy can give a fresh start. Find out if it is right for you. nationaldebtrelief.ie €10 Life Insurance Life Insurance from €10 / month. Get An Instant Quote in 30 Seconds. irishinsurance.ie/Life-Insurance Ads by Google Most Read Most Shared Most Commented Clet was ‘nervous’ before attack. Photo courtesy of janploeg.nl Angry dolphin strikes again off coast of Galway News Water meters have been installed at homes across the country but Irish Water fears it will discover more water quality problems Irish Water systems glitch as meters start to tick News Anthony Summers and Robyn Swan, authors of Looking for Madeline. Photo: Michael MacSweeney/Provision Web trolls unleash vile attacks on Irish-based Maddie authors News 5 Nov 2013 image release of teenage girl found outside GPO in October. Garda Headquarters, Phoenix park, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn GPO girl told Canadian police she had been imprisoned in a cage News The move has prompted serious concerns about public health and safety from the HSE One in five insist they will not pay their water bills News Editors Choice Nidge in Love/Hate Season 5. Love/Hate and Ross OCarroll-Kelly take us to a world ignored by many authors Declan Lynch argues for... George Clooney and his wife Amal Marrying your way to the top, modern style Who knew George Clooney would turn out to be a hypergamist? Hang on. Its... Cormac Ryan: It changes your life completely, and if youre lucky enough to survive, its 90 percent a mental battle. Anguish banished by the fortitude of hurlings family Cormac Ryan explains how it feels to be told youll never play again - See more at: independent.ie/irish-news/news/one-in-five-insist-they-will-not-pay-their-water-bills-30639018.html#sthash.xALNOXwE.dpuf
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 17:38:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015