Environment Minister Alan Kelly has said that households having to go through two registrations to receive the water conservation grant is "just … how it's going to work".
Those wishing to avail of the €100 grant will have to register with Irish Water before June 30.
However, it emerged last night that to secure the payment, a second registration with the Department of Social Protection will also be required in August before payment begins in September.
Minister Kelly told Live 95 that this should not come as a surprise to people.
"No it wasn't unexpected, in fact it was always announced that way," he said.
"Essentially, once you register with Irish Water, you'd have to work with the ESB in order to draw down the grant - so they're creating a process for doing that.
"I announced that last year, late last year - and this is just the details of how that's going to work."