Irish Water is looking to reassure people over their use of customers' personal information.

The company is reacting to weekend newspaper reports focusing on the 'small print' on their website in relation to the use and storage of data.

It is in the process of sending out application packs to households around the country, with the first bills expected to arrive in January.

The utility has come in for recent criticism over the costs of setting it up - which are almost twice the average of similar entities in England and Wales - and also for requesting the PPS numbers of children.

But spokesperson Elizabeth Arnett told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk they will only use information in specific ways.