The energy regulator has approved the details of the new water charges regime. The approval comes two months after the charges kicked in.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has also set new prices for additional meter readings, beyond those needed to issue bills.
The official approval comes nine weeks to the day after the charges officially kicked in.
The system means free allowances for adults are abolished, with all charges now capped at €160 a year for single-adult homes and €260 a year for all other accounts.
A rebate will be provided for those using less than the capped charge, but those in this bracket will have to wait until April 2016 before they are sure they qualify.
Other pricing details have also been confirmed this evening: households will pay €17 for a one-off meter reading outside the usual billing period. If the householder believes their meter is faulty but it transpires it is not the householder will then be liable for a €100 callout charge.
The Government has faced calls today to delay the first water bills until after a major EU test.
Fianna Fáil's Sean Fleming says the public can't be expected to pay bills until that test happens.
“Will you not now defer the issuing of the water bills until there is clarity and certainty in relation to the decision of Irish Water as to whether or not it is an arm of government or an independent semi-state company?” Mr Fleming asked today.
Meanwhile, Alan Kelly, the Minister for Environment, is refusing to say what sort of measures will be used to make sure people pay their water bills.
Mr Kelly says the issues will be sorted in new legislation being introduced to the Dáil later this spring.
But he says there is no need to rush it as no measures will be enforced within 12 months of the first bills arriving.
Mr Kelly told the Dáil he is “very happy” with the numbers of homes who have signed up to Irish Water so far.
“The Irish people will work with us on this plan, w e are very confident of that. The reality is people are signing up to this,” Mr Kelly said.
“We’re very happy with the volume of people that are singing up and additional people are singing up at all times,” he added.
