Fianna Fáil is calling for water charges to be deferred to ease the pain on struggling homeowners.

It comes after the Environment Minister insisted he intended to plough ahead with the charges on January 1st next.

It was announced back in February of this year that 1,600 jobs are to be created by the water metering programme. It starts in July and will run until September 2016.

During this time over 1 million meters will be installed in homes across the country.

Irish Water will be responsible for the installation of the meters and it is likely that the installation works will be undertaken on a regional basis.

But Michael McGrath of Fianna Fáil says the savings from the Anglo promissory note deal should be used to put off water charges for a bit longer.