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PROPOSALS TO INCREASE the fees paid by those living in houseboats at Grand Canal Dock by 700% is being reviewed, Waterways Ireland Chief Executive Officer John McDonagh has said.
Earlier this year, concerns were raised by those living in the docklands that they were to face steep annual fee increases and accused Waterways Ireland of attempting to gentrify the canal and ‘displace’ those who’ve made it their home.
Waterways Ireland proposed a hike from €578 to €4,000 annually and rising to €7,500 over a six-year period for those living at the serviced site at Grand Canal Dock.
A serviced mooring site gives access to a water tap and electricity point for each houseboat. Electricity is not included in the permit fee. Residents use a top up card to pay for their electricity usage.
Refuse is collected at the Grand Canal and a pump out station for waste is located on the opposite side of the marina. However the services provided vary in different locations.
The houseboat residents said such fees could lead to homelessness for traditional canal boat dwellers who cannot afford the fee increases.
Fianna Fáil’s James O’Connor and Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy raised concerns at committee today about the sharp rise, stating that the Waterways Ireland has been accused of not fully engaging with those that live on the canal.
McDonagh said Waterways Ireland has taken on board the concerns raised about the affordability of the fees.
He told the committee “we’re currently looking again at the affordability aspect of the fees”.
“Affordability is a key factor in determining the outcome in relation to fees,” he added.
Initially, a report carried out by KPMG set out some fee structures that they felt were appropriate. Since that report, there have been two further revisions and fee calculations have also been carried out by Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.
Operations Controller Éana Rowe said the fee structure is being considered and the process is hoped to conclude before the summer is out.
McDonagh said some of the fees have not changed in nearly 30 years, and the agency was attempting to bring them up to date.
However, O’Connor said the fee hike seemed to be a “very excessive rise over a limited point in time”, stating that it appeared Waterways Ireland was attempting a policy adjustment to catch up with not making adjustments over the years.
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Jayus they don’t want anyone owning anything by the looks of it.
@damien leen: Who are “they”? Waterways Ireland??
@Kevin Collins: The marine wing of the OPW!!
@damien leen: well someone has to pay for that KPMG report, that ain’t cheap
@Kevin Collins: Really …you don’t know ..it’s not half as complicated as you think it is…go on, give it a go.
@Ollie Fitzpatrick:Really….you have a very…let’s say fertile imagination!
@damien leen: well I presume you mean the government. But it is Waterways Ireland who want to put up these fees. WI and the Irish government are separate entities…
Next they’ll be taxing us on sheds and tree houses in your own garden!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: shhhh, don’t be giving them any ideas !
@Lydia Mcloughlin: apologies!!! :)
Rip of ireland they want everyone to buy massively over priced houses/apartments to help out the rich friends.578 to 4000 to over 7k over 6 years ah come on
@giles wolohan: I think they want everyone to rent their overpriced apartments, not even buy unless they’re buying 50 at a time to rent out!
Squeezing the poor people again.
Fleece every person who is just trying to get by. What a totally disgusting country this has become.
@Gerry Lamont: Big time.
KPMG one of themost corrupt companies of modern times shutting down loopholes to further heat housing prices. Remember when they rated derivatives as AAA and the banks solvent?
Waterways Ireland should go paddle their canoe.
So they are complaining that they will have to pay €140 a week to live at Grand Canal dock? Seems unbelievably cheap to me. If they were to live at a marina further out, it would be over 10k.
That’s VERY cheap for a year of services.
‘Some of the fees have not changed in nearly 30 years’. Wow.
This CEO has a, “Well… they do it on the continent” attitude.
Last year people had to pay VAT on the diesel. Talk of annual fee. Annual inspections and certificates, and huge hike in mooring.
It has helped to price out the “characters” and “old timers” and is quickly turning the Shannon into an elite pass time.
That said, some of the things are warranted. But huge costs with very little in return. Boat numbers are down 70% this year.
They have to pay for the canal fencing somehow
Water charges ?
Whinge. Moan. Bleat like sheep. Bitter that they have failed at life. Blame everybody else. Change nothing. Never improve themselves.
@Sun Rise: Do shut up!
A hike is definitely needed, the current amount is far to low – negotiate upwards to the standard norm in Europe.
Arent they the crowd that allegedly bulldozed the poor guy in a tent by the canal.
Why can’t they just buy an apartment or a house… oh maybe not!
They don’t want as the green party call us ordinary people their but the very rich who can easily afford these ridiculous fees
have your say