Comharchumann Árainn Mhór Teo

Feidhmíonn Comharchumann Árainn Mhór mar eagrais forbartha pobal a sholáthraíonn aiseanna pobal, seirbhísí trádála, seirbhísí riaracháin agus tacaíochta do phobal Árainn Mhór. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an chomharchumann, trínár gcuid gníomhaíochtaí, acmhainní timpeallachta, turasóireachta, chultúrtha agus oidhreachta an oileáin a fheabhsú agus a fhorbairt, ar mhaithe le saol eacnamaíochta, cultúrtha agus sóisialta pobal an oileáin a fheabhsú. Bainisteoir: Nóirín Uí Mhaoldomhnaigh.

30.9.14

Household Benefits Package and water charges

Know Your Rights : Household Benefits Package and water charges

Sept/October 2014

Question

I live alone and get a State Pension. Will I be able to get any help with the new water charges?

Answer

Domestic water charges will apply from 1 October 2014 and the first bills will issue from January 2015. A free allowance of a certain amount of water will be provided for every household, with extra allowances for children. If you are getting the Household Benefits Package, you will also get help with the cost of water charges.

From January 2015 the Household Benefits Package will include a new annual Water Support payment of €100 (made up of four equal payments of €25). The Water Support payment will be paid to everyone who qualifies for the Household Benefits Package. This includes people who are not customers of Irish Water and who either have their own water supply or are members of a group scheme.

If you are currently getting the Household Benefits Package and get your allowance as a credit on your bill, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) does not hold payment details for you. In September 2014 the DSP contacted customers to ask them to complete a form with their bank account information so the Water Support payment can be paid directly. The Water Support payment can also be paid in post offices.

The Water Support payment will be paid directly to you, not to Irish Water. If your home is connected to a public water supply (or to public wastewater services) you will need to set up an account with Irish Water to pay your water charges and to claim the free household allowance. Irish Water has sent customer application packs to all households, to be returned by 31 October 2014.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Dungloe Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Tel: 0761075431 Address: Dungloe Public Services Centre, Gweedore Road, Dungloe.

Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.