IRISH WATER SAYS PAYMENT FIGURE ‘IN LINE WITH WHAT WE EXPECTED IT TO BE’
Irish Water says figures showing less than half of households have paid their water charge are ‘in line with expectations’.
The utility has collected 30.5 million euro of the 66.8 million it issued in bills over the first three months of the year.
Irish Water spokesperson Elizabeth Arnett says that represents a ‘solid start’, because no reminders or sanctions have been issued to those who have not paid.
Opponents of the charge say the figures show their campaign is working.
Ms Arnett says the payment rate meets the company expectations.
“When you set up a new utility, any new business, when you’re starting to send out new bills for the first time there is a lag phase” she said.
“International experience will show you don’t get 100 percent of the bills paid, 100 percent of the time, 100 percent on time – and that’s a normal utility experience”.
“And so you manage your business in the context and in light of that, and that is precisely what we have done here” she added.
