DESPITE THE PUSHING back of the deadline for applications to the end of November, water charges are still dogged by mass opposition.
There are more questions than answers, it seems, when it comes to Irish Water operations and logistics.
We’ve put these questions to the utility in the past, with varying responses.
For our second instalment, we took some of your own queries, and passed them on to Irish Water.
Here’s what they told us:
‘I refuse’
What exactly are the procedures in the event of non-payment or refusal to pay?
Short version: Slowed down water and a day in court are possible.
Longer version:
Irish Water will respond to those who don’t pay on a case by case basis.
Options available to Irish Water include reducing the water supply to a home and pursuing debts through the courts system.
However, these options would be last resorts and we would endeavour to work with customers in assisting them in paying their bills in accordance with our codes of practice, as agreed with the Commission for Energy Regulation.
‘I changed my mind’
We’ve had a good few enquiries about this. It appears there are a significant number of people who sent in their application packs (complete with PPS numbers), but have since decided to opt out.
How exactly can an individual retract their application pack, and how does Irish Water make sure it’s not being retracted without that person’s knowledge?
Short version: Unclear.
Longer version:
Irish Water does not provide the facility to retract application packs…
If someone requests their PPS number removed, this will be done, but Irish Water cannot retract the other information, as Irish Water needs to bill people.
If they request their PPS numbers removed, this will be done, and they’ll get their bill without the allowances to which they are entitled.
Customers wishing to make any changes to their details can contact the customer services team on 1890 448 448.
In accordance with Data Protection legislation, customers will be asked a number of security questions, for example their application number and Pin.
Rebates and allowances
Irish Water and the CER has said households will be eligible for a rebate if they use less water than the assessed charge.
However, they need a meter to prove this. How can Irish Water proceed with the promised rebate in the case of households where a meter has not been installed by January, or even later?
Short version: Tough luck – you’ll have to wait to get rebates as a reward for limiting your water use.
Longer version:
The rebate is in place for nine months following the installation of a meter, so for houses who do not have a meter by January, this nine-month period will start only from the time their meter is installed.
A few of you were concerned about the 30,000-litre household allowance ending in 2016.
Short version: It won’t.
Longer version:
There is no expiry date in the case of the household allowances, but the child allowance expires once the child reaches 18.
How can anyone without a PPS number (for example, some foreign nationals), apply for the allowances?
Short version: They can’t (unless they go and get a PPS number).
Longer version:
You need a PPS number to apply for allowances. There are very few people living in Ireland who do not have a PPS number, and those who don’t can apply for one.
Data protection
We previously asked Irish Water what it does to test the security of its data systems, and they said they were “secure to the ISO-27001 standard,” (international best practice).
So we asked – Is Irish Water actually certified by the ISO, to 27001 standards?
Short verion: Nope.
Longer version:
Irish Water operates to ISO 27001 but is not yet certified.
There are bound to be more questions out there, and we want to hear them.
Check out our previous round-up, have a look through our coverage of Irish Water and water charges, as well as the Questions and Answers section of Irish Water’s website, just in case.
If you still can’t find an answer, let us know what your question is.
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