Commenting on the 2015 Domestic Metered Public Water Consumption figures released by the CSO yesterday Michael Fitzmaurice TD said that the anti-water charges campaign “has been of most benefit to the wealthiest people in our society”.
Looking at the areas in question Michael Fitzmaurice said “The figures show that homeowners living in the most expensive suburbs of Dublin and other main cities in the country use far more water than people in other areas of the country. The people who live in Dublin 4, Dublin 6, and Dublin 13 are at the top of the table and these areas are where the largest and most expensive houses in the country are situated. The anti-water charges campaign who have successfully waged their campaign against people having to pay for their public water supply has therefore been of most benefit to those who could best afford to pay which is a strange twist indeed” he said.
He went on to say “People on Group Water Schemes, who have been paying for their water for many years past will look at this latest data with interest and once again I am calling for the Government to increase the subvention to Group Water Schemes around the country without delay. It is the least that people on these schemes should expect when the wealthiest people in our society do not have to pay for their water supply” he concluded.
The highest annual average use of 488 litres was recorded in Dublin 6. The second highest, 459, was recorded in Dublin 4. Meanwhile, Roscommon homes used an annual average of 416 and the lowest average use was in Cavan; 313 litres. The report can be viewed here