AS PART OF the changes to water charges announced today every household in the country that registers with Irish Water will get a €100 rebate known as the ‘water conservation payment’.

This replaces the tax rebate and social welfare measures that were announced in the Budget in October.

The government is not requiring people to spend the money on conserving water but is recommending that it be used to address leaking cisterns, changing taps, installing dual flush toilets or de-sludging septic tanks.

The grant is being administered by the Department of Social Protection and will cost the State around €130 million, but householders will want to know when they will get it.

The government confirmed that those eligible for the grant will be able to apply for it in September 2015.

By that time, householders will have paid two of their quarterly water bills with the first set to land in April 2015 and the second in July of the same year.

• If you are a single adult household – which has a capped rate of €160 without the grant – you will have paid €80 of your annual charges. 
• If you are part of a house with two adults or more – which has a capped rate of €260 without the grant – you will have paid €130 of your annual charges. 

The delay in distributing the €100 is being attributed to the time it will take to set up systems to administer the payment.

In order to qualify for it, in addition to registering with Irish Water, you will have to provide your PPS number to the Department of Social Protection – which has it already – and confirm that the house you’re living in is the primary dwelling.

Applications for the grant can be made from September 2015, the government confirmed this evening and then on an annual basis after that.

It’s not clear whether it will be in the form of a rebate on your bill or a cheque in the post. Full details of the grant will be provided “in due course, the coalition said.

Confirmed: Here’s how much you’ll be paying for water – and what happens if you don’t

Read: The Dáil was suspended for 45 minutes after Alan Kelly went to a press conference

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