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Updated 10.55pm
ENVIRONMENT MINISTER ALAN Kelly has said households on long-term boil water notices could be in line for a bigger discount when water charges kick next month.
In his first speech of the new Dáil session last night, Kelly referred to proposals by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which would give some households with undrinkable water a full discount on the “water supply” part of their bill.
If confirmed when the water charges plan is published shortly, as such “any customers that have a Boil Water Notice or a Drinking Water Notice three months prior to the commencement of water charges on 1st October 2014, will not pay for their water supply.”
From 1 October, households will be billed for two separate services: water supply – effectively drinking water – and waste water disposal – effectively, toilets and showers.
Significantly, the minister noted that:
The CER proposals are more favourable to the customer than the proposals submitted by the Irish Water, who had sought that the 100% discount should only apply where the period involved is over six months.
Under both the CER and Irish Water proposals, affected households would not be eligible for any discount on waste water disposal.
Medical conditions
Separately, the government is expected to give a final decision next week on water allowances for people with specific medical conditions.
Irish Water spokesperson Elizabeth Arnett said this morning: “We’re asking people to say if they believe they are eligible.”
It is understood that process amounts to individuals “ticking a box” on an application, to which Irish Water would respond.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today, Arnett said no decision had been made yet as to whether Irish Water would be “checking the veracity” of medical claims, but that they would await the results of consultations by the Departments of Health and Environment.
Where a medical condition is accepted as requiring higher than usual water consumption, Arnett said affected households would be capped at the assessed charge – meaning they will pay no more than the average bill for a household of that size.
PPS numbers
The spokesperson also defended Irish Water’s decision to request PPS numbers from customers, saying it was designed to ensure households received the allowances they were entitled to.
Customers are eligible for a €100 allowance per child, and €150 per household, and Irish Water are authorised under the legislation to ask for PPS numbers, Arnett added.
There have been widespread privacy concerns over the request, but the Taoiseach last night parried questions on the subject, saying that Irish Water would answer all such questions when its “full communication system” had been established.
First published 9.11am
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Oh please give me a break
If these ” Asylum seekers ” really were in fear for their lives they would have claimed Asylum at the first port of Safety ,not spend thousands travelling through dozens of countries to get to our little Island.
They are not Asylum seekers
They are social welfare seekers
Cut and paste asset column – cut and paste well done
Wrong story chief….
My asset, a one way ticket from Ethiopia to Ireland costs about 600 euros, direct flights from Addis Ababa to Istanbul and on to Dublin, first port of call in a European country Ireland, this is just one route, please back up your statement or do not make one, asylum seekers are human and children are children, another institution Ireland and the government want to hide until a scandal breaks which will cost the tax payer much more in the long term.
Jeez David, better watch out, they don’t like actual facts on Asylum comments. They usual far right crowd will be along after Jeremy Kyle with their red thumbing.
Istanbul in Turkey? Turkey which is in Europe? The same country which is politically European and made an application to join the EU in 1987? Is that the Istanbul you say you can get a connecting flight to Dublin “their first port of call” in Europe?
The majority are coming in through Italy, but then again you know that don’t you.
@Yaya – yes, because Turkey is in the EU and is, therefore covered by the Dublin Regulation – which, by the way, everyone misquotes.
But, like I said, no one likes facts here so carry on …
@Dara, Turkey isnt actually in the EU, it is however in Europe
Only 5% of Turkey is in Europe 95% is in Asia.
@Yaya – get that sarcasm detector looked at
3% actually, but politically it is European, which is what we are talking about, it is also not part of the Dublin Regulation
Jesus yaya – do you still not get the sarcasm? Ok I’ll explain it to you – as Turkey is not in the EU it is, therefore not subject to the Dublin Regulation, therefore, your comment re Istanbul being in Europe had absolutely no relevance whatsoever to the one that you tried to undermine.
I used sarcasm to try to point this out to you but it seems it was a bit too highbrow for you.
I’ll stick to Daily Mail formatting in future.
That comment wasn’t in response to yours at all Dara
Upon their 18th birthday, return them to their country of origin as they are now no longer children.
Why?
How does a minor get on a plane in the first place? Surely the airlines have a responsibility in this as I fail to see how a 14 y.o child can arrive up to a check in desk with a one way ticket to Ireland without raising suspicion.
Because they come by land. My guess would be that their families get the funds together for the people smugglers and then when their kid is set up, they follow them over or at least have a source of funds from Europe going forward. Also, having no ID on them they can lie about their ages etc. We all know that the majority want to live in countries like the UK and Germany, Ireland has just become a one stop shop for a European passport. Its just a big con game run by people smuggling cartels that promise these people the moon and stars for a few thousand dolors.
At the end of the day its the tax payer that suffers and it puts pressure on the social welfare system etc.
Fair point Damien. I do remember watching a few programmes where people were claiming that they were under-age in order to claim asylum but I never thought of it the other way around.
So, where are those missing children?
Faded into the background (if nothing sinister has happened). I know a family who fostered an afghani boy for 12yrs – his parents were dead. As soon as he turned 18, he was sent to a DP Centre.
The family fought to keep him but we’re told no. He’s studying now whilst waiting on the outcome of an application – the family were advised not to stay in contact and were warned that they cannot give him any financial support.
The ‘missing children’ are possibly now living illegally in Ireland.
Well said! The old ‘first port of call’ and ‘ship them back brigade’ still alive and kicking I see. Just as well the U.S. doesn’t have the same attitude to irish undocumented, sticking them in direct provision centres for example. But then, I guess most Irish who abuse the American immigration system are our ‘own’ grand fellas, not like these dark types coming over here to our fair Isle. Hypocrisy, the worst Irish trait, and not a word of concern for the children who have gone missing on our watch.
Agreed Joanne
Actually if found they are deported. First they are taken to a prison, processed, and then shipped out. What is your point. The same thing happens to white people and white asylum seekers. Continue with your Irish bashing all you want, its obvious who the racist is in this case.
Can you tell me how many Irish citizens claimed asylum in the US in the last 50 years ?
There is no comparison at all.
Illegal Irish people in the US are (by and large) economic migrants who have chosen to enter (and remain) illegal. If found they should be arrested and deported – just like all ‘illegals’ the world over.
What a crying shame for this country that you never need to emigrate Larry….. Well there’s always hope.
Racist? Please, the only racists around here are those who see one rule for certain ethnicities and different ones for others. As for your assertion that they face deportation ‘if found’ etc that may happen on occasion, and that is the risk you run when you break the law, but where are they sent back to? Ireland… hardly a war zone or the most dangerous place to be if you’re a woman/homosexual/religious minority and so on. And still not a word on the missing children.
This was meant in response and support to David Hughes’ comment above
How can you blame these young vulnerable persons for not wanting to go through the direct provision system ?!
I have great admiration for these ‘now’ brave young men.. Let’s pray that they are safe and secure and that they also have a wonderful future (wherever that maybe)
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