Self-builders who have started their build by September 30, 2024 can still apply for an Irish Water refund for their water connection charges, but must do so by the end of the year.
In this article we cover:
- Irish Water refunds: what it is
- How to apply for a refund
- Deadlines and when it expires
Self-builders in ROI will need to apply by December 31, 2024 to avail of a refund to the Uisce Éireann (UÉ) Standard Connection Charges.
The measure was introduced to stimulate house building in April 2023, and was extended by a year. Between water and wastewater standard connection charges, the UÉ waiver saves self-builders upwards of €6,000.
The waiver also covered local development fees, which are the fees you pay your local council once you’re given planning permission. These can save even more for self-builders.
Selfbuild Ireland has been petitioning to introduce the waivers indefinitely to self-builders.
Irish Water waiver
This temporary refund Scheme applies to permitted residential developments that:
- commence on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 30 September 2024; and
- are completed not later than 31 December 2026.
- Applications to UÉ for refunds can only be accepted up to 31 December 2024
The Scheme does not apply to applicable Quotable Charges and/or surety requirements specified in connection agreements.
Once you’ve applied for your connection and received your quotation, you need to pay it and then apply for the refund. On average, UÉ says it takes 10 weeks to process the refund, from the moment you’ve applied to get it.
Application process
You must supply a valid Connection Offer with UÉ and have met all the acceptance criteria, including:
- payment of any Quotable Connection Charges (if applicable and as set out within Appendix 4 of the Connection Offer);
- return of Letter of Acceptance; and
- any other conditions as set out within the Connection Offer letter.
- Customers seeking a Waiver from UÉ shall be required to submit the following via email to connectionrefundscheme@water.ie;
- Single Domestic Dwelling Waiver Application Form, along with a Site Layout drawing (PDF format) indicating the residential unit(s) associated with this Waiver Application.
- A signed copy of the UÉ Letter of Undertaking for Connection Refund Scheme committing to repay any monies waived by UÉ if the Scheme criteria are not met (Section B of the Waiver Application form).
- Submit a signed and stamped Local Authority Letter of Approval as part of the waiver application in accordance with the Temporary Time-Limited Waiver in respect of Development Contributions and as set out in Circular PL08/2023 (Appendix 6). The Local Authority Letter of Approval shall be for the same development details as contained within the Waiver Application and will allow the waiver to be processed by UÉ and connection(s) be delivered.
