Irish Water's admitted that over half a million households have yet to register with the utility.

It says 1.32 million households have registered their details - but believes that's only around 7 out of every 10 households.

It's encouraging the rest to get registered before next Tuesday, which is the government's deadline to receive the 100-euro 'water conservation grant'.

The utility is still being criticised by opponents of water charges for refusing to reveal how many customers have paid their first bills so far.