BONUSES at Irish Water face being scrapped entirely under revised plans set to be unveiled by the public utility, Independent.ie has learned.

It’s understood that there will be no bonuses paid to staff at the public utility this year and that an independent review into the bonus structure will be carried out.

The review will be completed by 2015.

A spokeswoman for Irish Water confirmed the decision to independent.ie today.

It’s understood that the decision not to pay bonuses will apply to both 2013 and 2014. The matter has been communicated to staff.

The government’s new water charges plan was discussed by Cabinet this morning ahead of a full statement on the matter tomorrow.

The independent review raises the prospect of bonuses being scrapped entirely in the future, sources said.

The decision to carry out an independent review into bonuses was confirmed by Ervia in a letter to minister Alan Kelly today

Workers in the commercial semi-state had been in line to receive a maximum 'performance-related payment' of up to 15pc of salary, but a further 4pc payment which applied to those who "far exceeded" expectations has already been axed.

Irish Water uses the same pay model as employed by its parent company, Ervia (formerly Bord Gais Eireann), where a portion of salary is paid in bonuses if targets are reached.

Staff had been in line for bonuses ranging from 2.75pc to 15pc for reaching these targets.

Online Editors