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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Water relief
The government is giving most people part of their water charges back
Michael Noonan said that the measures was being taken to “alleviate the burden of water charges on working families”. The short-term unemployed will miss out, though.
PEOPLE PAYING WATER bills will receive income tax relief to a maximum of up to €100 a year.
In the Budget this afternoon, Michael Noonan said that the measure was being taken to “alleviate the burden of water charges on working families”.
The scheme will mean that those working and paying for water will be able to apply for tax relief in relation to water charges up to €500 per household at the standard rate.
The standard rate of tax relief is 20%, meaning that households could end up with over €100 in relief on their bills.
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin later added that there would be a €100 waiver for recipients of the Household Benefits Package.
However, the short-term unemployed are not set to benefit.
Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said that this was because they “tend to get back to work very quickly”.
However, she added that if an issue, “it’s certainly something that we would examine very quickly”.
Additional reporting: Órla Ryan
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