I propose to take Questions Nos. 752, 763 and 828 together.
The Programme for Government and the Memorandum of Understanding with the EU, the IMF and the ECB provide for the introduction of domestic water charges and the current position is that domestic water charges will not commence before 2014. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies. The Government has also decided that Irish Water, the new State-owned water company established as an independent subsidiary within the Bord Gáis Éireann Group and the Water Services Act 2013 assign s the necessary powers to allow Irish Water to undertake the metering programme. The Act also assigns to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) the power to advise the Government on the development of a regulatory framework for water services.
Affordability measures, including consideration of water customers with medical needs, will be addressed by my Department and the Department of Social Protection, in consultation with the Regulator, Irish Water and other stakeholders, in the context of developing a water pricing framework. The agreed approach will then be reflected in the charging structure established by the Regulator. No decision has yet been taken in relation to the issue of allowances.