I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 51 together.
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. As the House knows, the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, and that CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
Domestic water charges will commence with effect from 1 October 2014 and Irish Water will issue the first bills to domestic customers from January 2015. The approach to charging will be outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan to be submitted by it to CER in line with the provisions of the Act. CER will be responsible for approving the water charges plan which will set the approaches to charging domestic and non-domestic customers. CER has indicated that in April 2014 it will be carrying out a number of public consultations, including the approach to the design of domestic water tariffs for both metered and unmetered properties, and the final announcement in regard to water charges will be made in August 2014.
The Government has committed to the provision of a free allowance, above which charging based on usage would apply. The free allowance and the level of funding to be provided by the Government to Irish Water will have a strong bearing on the net charges to be met by households. Consequently, decisions on these matters will provide greater visibility on the expected level of charge. I expect to bring proposals to Government in this regard shortly. Part of the consideration will be the work of an interdepartmental working group established to advise the Government on the appropriate method for addressing affordability issues which may arise with the introduction of local domestic water charges, in particular the concerns of families with children and single people, as indicated by the Deputy in his question.
Local authorities have been instructed to continue with all their current charging tariffs for non-domestic customers on behalf of Irish Water pending the approval by CER of the water charges plan.