The Tánaiste has confirmed that a €100 payment will be available to households towards the cost of the water charge, to be administered by the Department of Social Protection.
Joan Burton also says she stands by her previous comments that a family with two adults and two children would pay just €200 in water charges.
Tánaiste Joan Burton said people will have to apply for the new €100 support.
"I agreed with the Taoiseach - it's actually in the published agreement we made then - that there would be a €100 water conservation support payment, particularly for people on low incomes," she said.
"It will extend to households and the finer details are being worked out."
She also said she would like to see the flat-rate levy extended to a period of three to four years.