Almost two-thirds of people have paid their Irish Water charges by the end of the first year of billing.

However, the company has released figures which also show that 8,000 householders cancelled their direct debit payment due to Irish Water in March.

Figures released by Irish Water’s parent company Ervia today show they lost almost €10m in revenue in the last bill cycle as thousands of customers stopped paying their bill.

€33.4m was paid by householders who received a bill in January and February of this year, a significant drop on the €42.3m raised in the previous bill cycle.

The government announced the suspension of charges in March however Irish Water says customers are still liable for bills up to that period.

The figures also show those paying their bills increased from 44% at the end of the first billing cycle, to 64%, or 975,000 customers, by the fourth one.

Ervia has said total revenue from charges paid to date in the first full year of billing is €144.2m, or 53% of charges due for a full year.

Legislation suspending water charges is due before the Dáil next month, but the company has said until then, consumers are liable for their bills.