New information on Irish Water proves it is an economic basket-case – Brian Stanley TD

In response to a Dáil question Brian Stanley put forward to the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection asking “the total amount paid out in Water Conservation Grants in 2015”, he was informed that a total of almost €90m has been paid to 889,498 households to date. Responding to this Deputy Stanley said “The reply to my Dáil Question shows that Irish Water is an economic basket case. €90m has been paid out to households in the past 9 months with more payments for this period still being processed. This is an outrageous amount to be paid out with no obligation on anyone to conserve one drop of water.
The Department of Finance has informed me that full 100% compliance with payment of water charges would mean a net income of €209m for Irish Water. Just over half of eligible households have paid their bills so far and many of these have merely been part payments, possibly as little as 1 or 2 quarterly payments.
Meanwhile 100’s of millions of euros taken from the National Pension Reserve Fund is being wasted on installing meters that are not being used.
In addition to this growing bill, €470m from the Local Government Fund is being directed to Irish Water this year and millions more in subsidies from the taxpayer.
Phil Hogan and acting Minister Alan Kelly informed me many times in the Dáil over the past 4 years that the main reason for the establishment of Irish Water was to get the financing of water services “off the state balance sheet.” But of course this has not happened. Myself and others pointed out many times in the Dáil the folly of the Government’s approach to water services.
Concluding Deputy Stanley said “It’s time to end this economic madness. It’s time to dismantle Irish Water and replace it with a slimmed down public body directly accountable to the Dáil.