Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2013
401. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to follow the consumer protection in water services model similar to Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales where an organisation separate to the economic regulator of water services is primarily responsible for protecting consumers of water services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39471/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399 to 402, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment for the introduction of water charges based on usage above a free allowance. The Government considers that charging based on usage is the fairest way to charge for water and it has, therefore, decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water supplies.
The Government has also decided to assign responsibility for the economic regulation of the water sector, including the setting of charges, to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The primary role of the Regulator will be to protect the interests of customers and to ensure a consistent and appropriate level of service is provided to them. The Water Services Act 2013 assigns to the CER the power to advise the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government on the development of policy regarding the regulation of the provision of water services and it is intended that full regulatory powers will be assigned to the CER in further legislation which is currently in preparation. The CER plans to undertake a public consultation on a proposed economic regulatory framework for water services later this year. It is envisaged that, as part of its customer protection role, the CER will establish a dispute resolution service for customers of Irish Water. This approach is in line with the services CER already provide for customers in the energy sector.
Earlier in 2013 , the Economic and Social Research Institute ( ESRI ) prepared a study on behalf of my Department regarding affordability and the provision of water services in Ireland, and the study is currently under consideration. It is intended that affordability issues will be addressed by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Social Protection, the CER, Irish Water and other stakeholders, in the context of developing a water pricing framework. The agreed approach to affordability issues will then be reflected in the charging structure established by the CER.
