There had been reports that Uisce Éireann was set to introduce ‘excess usage’ water charges.
The Department of Housing stated it is not currently considering implementing excess water usage charges, despite prior plans and reports that Uisce Éireann was planning to introduce them based on usage exceeding 213,000 liters annually with allowances for larger households. Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin criticized the potential move as a "back door" introduction of domestic water charges, while People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called it a "Trojan Horse" for the full re-introduction of charges. Ó Broin argued charges wouldn't reduce consumption and would disproportionately affect low-income households and pensioners with older homes and leaks.