Sir, – With reference to the letter from Eamon Timmins, head of advocacy and communications at Age Action Ireland (July 15t), I want to clarify that the Government has not “turned its back” on the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce a free allowance of water.
The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. Irish Water has been given responsibility for the metering programme. Legislation is currently being drafted to provide Irish Water with statutory powers to provide water services and this will include the power to charge for those services.
The Government is aware of the need to protect and support vulnerable households. I have stated on a number of occasions in reply to questions in Dáil Éireann that affordability issues, including the level and the approach to the free allowance, and supports that may be required for those with a high essential use of water due to medical conditions, will be addressed in advance of the introduction of charges. This remains the intention. – Yours, etc,
PHIL HOGAN, TD
Minister for the
Environment, Community
and Local Government,
Custom House,
Dublin 1.
Sir, – Eamon Timmins (July 15th) argues that future water charges should make special allowance for elderly people with medical issues that might increase their water usage. I would like to make a similar argument for parents of young babies who have increased bathing and laundry needs, people who engage in regular sporting activities who need extra showers, parents of three- and four-year-olds who regularly turn on the tap and walk away, fashion models who must drink large quantities of water to keep their skin clear, ladies (and men) with especially long hair and owners of large SUVs who obviously need more water for washing, etc. In fact, why don’t we just make water completely free for everyone? – Yours, etc,
JOHN THOMPSON,
Shamrock Street,
Phibsboro,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – At first glance metered water charges seem perfectly fair. If you use more water you should pay for more, right? Look closer. We would not be charging a household for its water use, but for its use of water at home. Who is stuck at home to use the water there? Are the sick and disabled, the unemployed, the elderly and mothers with small children precisely the people we want to penalise?
Households with adults out all day in full-time employment are more likely to afford meals out, holidays away and dry cleaners. Preparing food at home and cleaning up afterwards takes considerable water use. Note, too, that water charges also undermine Government drives to educate the public concerning food hygiene, recycling and getting children to eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
If metered water charges are really needed for conservation purposes, we should think carefully about how low they can be set.
Of course I’m not disinterested. We are still reeling from the property tax and are absolutely terrified of the water charges. – Yours, etc,
KAREN WALSH,
Wasdale Park,
Terenure,
Dublin 6.