Campaigners against waste charges in Cork yesterday said the news that householders will have to pay 28 per cent more for their refuse service from next year came as little surprise.
Cork City Council adopted the increase at its annual estimates meeting on Monday evening.
As a result, the annual rate in the city will increase from €277 to €355. Businesses will also face a 5 per cent increase in rates to €64.52 and will be charged separately for waste water for the first time.
A spokesman for Householders against Service Charges said: "We have always said that, if people paid up in full, this would be the reaction of the council . . .
"People also felt threatened when the council would not accept the idea of weekly payments."
A city council spokesman said the new rate was still less than that of the county council and was a fair charge for the service provided.