State was warned water benefit' was wasteful

The government ignored expert advice in its rushed attempt to reduce water bills.

It announced in the budget last week that it would be giving a €100 “water support” payment to people on the household benefit package of a free TV licence and free electricity or gas. And the same payment will be made to long-term claimants of the fuel allowance, at a total cost of €65 million per year.

But the government ...