Families could be about to get a €325 water bill refund

As part of a compromise between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is reached, households who did pay the water charges can now expect to receive a refund up to €325. 

According to the Independent, this totals almost one million households across Ireland who can expect a refund check in the post.

Initially, Housing Minister Simon Coveney had stood firm on his claims that no refunds would be given and that non-payers should be pursued, but now it is believed that he has had a change of heart and will indeed cede ground on this issue.

The two main parties, however, continue to disagree on whether or not water charges should be abolished completely, but it seems Mr Coveney is prepared to admit there is no longer any point in fining households who refused to pay the very debated bill in the first place.

It is understood that Fine Gael will still continue to argue that some sort of charges for water must apply and that upholding a charge for wasteful use of water is important in order to avoid large fines from the EU.