Ok, so much has been said to date about the water charges, however I wonder do the Irish Water, really understand how much water a person with disabilities needs?
I think not.
Showering/bathing can be required more often, bed linen, sterilising, just to name a few. I don’t really feel this has been addressed and parents and people with special needs have enough additional cost to pay for.
On a positive note Irish Water has also produced a Vulnerable Customer Code of Practice to assist people with disabilities in;
- Reading and understanding their bills
- A specific phone line for people with hearing difficulties
- Alternative arrangement when water supply is restricted
- Ability to nominate a Carer to act on your behalf
- Priority service register for those medical reliant on their water supply
Billing will start from April 2015 and continue through May and June. All customers of Irish Water will then be issued a bill every three months. The first bill you receive will cover the period 1 January – 31 March 2015. Your second bill will cover the period 1 April – 30 June 2015 and these bills will issue from early July 2015.
Household with 1 adult will pay €160 per year for water supply and wastewater services. Households with 2 or more adults will pay €260 per year. Any household only using one service (as in they have their own water supply or septic tank) will only pay 50% of the standard charge. A lesser charge is applicable for metered households who use less than the capped charges.
Water conservation grant
€100 per year is available to all primary residences that register with Irish Water by 30 June 2015. The €100 grant will not be deducted from or appear on your Irish Water bill. The grant will be administered by the Department of Social Protection and further details on when applications can be made to them will be announced later in the year.
Free Special Needs Trust Planning Workshop – Click Here
This article was prepared by Allan Cuthbert, a Special Needs Trust Planner. If you would like to find out more about Special Need Trust Planning then go to www.financialwellbeing.ie