James Bannon
Question:16 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to roll out a nationwide water metering programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44253/10]
View answerThursday, 25 November 2010
Questions (18, 19)
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:39 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in view of the proposals to introduce water meters for domestic water charges, the estimated cost per home of installing meters and the timeframe for the implementation of such a measure. [44223/10]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 39 together.
As outlined in the Government's National Recovery Plan 2011-2014, it is intended that water charges for domestic customers will be introduced from 2014. This will be preceded by the rollout of a national metering programme to install meters in all households connected to the public water supply. The metering programme is likely to take a number of years to be completed but it is intended that it will be substantially complete by 2014.
My Department and the Department of Finance have been in discussions with the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) regarding the funding of the metering programme. The NPRF has agreed in principle to fund the programme up to an amount of €550 million subject to normal commercial terms in keeping with its statutory remit.
The overall cost of the programme, and cost per household, will be dependent on the types of water meters and associated equipment chosen for use and the method of installation to be employed all of which will be subject to a competitive tendering exercise. My Department is analysing the various options to ensure the delivery of the metering programme in the most cost effective manner.