Vol. 469 No. 6
78 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment his views regarding the current policy on local charges; the action, if any, that can be taken by a local authority if a person refuses to pay a service or water charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17908/96]
The existing system of local authority funding is based on a range of Exchequer grants, combined with a variety of local income sources, including domestic service charges. It is entirely a matter for local authorities to decide, at their discretion, whether to levy charges, the scale of such charges and arrangements for their collection. The whole issue of local government funding, including service charges, was examined as part of the professional study of local government financing, published on 27 June 1996. I intend to publish a strategy paper on local government reform before the end of the year, which will address all the issues involved.
Where a person defaults on payment of a water charge, local authorities can either pursue the outstanding charge as a simple contract debt through the courts, or they can disconnect the supply. Where a local authority decides to disconnect, it must first, in accordance with the Local Government (Delimitation of Water Supply Disconnection Powers) Act, 1995, obtain an order of the District Court. The court, which is required to take the personal and household circumstances of the person into account, will not grant an order where hardship is involved. Before applying to the court, the local authority must issue a series of notifications to the person concerned, involving initial demand, two reminders, two warnings — which may issue in conjunction with reminders — and final notice.
