Less than half of households intend to pay the water charge, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll published in today’s Irish Times.
The news comes hot on the heels of figures from Irish Water earlier this week which showed that 700,000 households had yet to register for the charge, which kicks in from the New Year.
When asked if their households intended to pay the charge, 48 per cent said Yes and 33 per cent said No, with 11 per cent undecided and 8 per cent saying the issue did not apply to them.
The poll also shows that the Government’s decision to cap the charges has encouraged some who did not intend to pay to change their minds.
The survey was undertaken on Monday and Tuesday this week among a representative sample of 1,200 voters aged 18 and over, in face-to-face interviews at 100 sampling points in all constituencies. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.8 per cent.
The poll shows a potentially high compliance rate among better-off voters while the strongest opposition comes from the other end of the social scale.
A majority of people who own their houses are willing to pay. This is in contrast to those living in accommodation rented from local authorities or private landlords, with a majority saying they will not pay the charge.
Older people are more likely to pay the water charge, with the oldest category, over-65s, the most compliant.
Those at the other end of the age spectrum are least likely to pay.
You can read the full Irish Times article here.
Today we ask you....
- Are you going to pay or have you already paid?
- Will this issue bring down the current government?
- Should landlords be held liable if their tenants refuse to pay?
Have your say below…
