Uisce Eireann Can't Provide Discount for GAA Club's €52,000 Water Bill

Uisce Eireann has responded to calls for a meeting regarding the water connection costs for a new clubhouse for St Joseph's GAA Club.

The group says the project has been severely delayed as they were given a €52,000 bill from the company to ensure the facility will have access to running water.

The issue was raised in the Dail recently and follows similar issues facing volunteers around the country.

The company says a drop in price for the project is unlikely due to it's status as a regulated utility.

In a statement to South East Radio, Uisce Eireann says it "does not have discretion to waive or discount connection charges for individual developments."

It operates a national Connection Charging Policy, which provides "a single, consistent framework for all customers seeking to connect to the public water and wastewater network."

It says this policy ensures "connection charges are applied in an equitable and non-discriminatory way across all developments."

The clubhouse's location on Whiterock Hill means the connection works may be complex which Uisce Eireann says could add to the costs.

"Non-standard connections may require a tailored, or “quotable”, charge depending on the specific requirements of the site, including factors such as distance from the network and infrastructure needed.

The company says it will continue to engage with St Joseph's and "remains committed to working closely with developers, community groups and local stakeholders to support the delivery of projects."

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme