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Water Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Questions (386, 399, 400, 401)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

386. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the setting up of Irish Water, what will become of those water schemes that currently own their own infrastructure but get their water from a local authority; the way they will be charged for the water they distribute through pipelines that they developed and installed themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16523/14]

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Ciara Conway

Question:

399. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water is engaging with the group water scheme sector, including the national federation of group water schemes; if he will address their concerns including setting bulk prices enabling them to take into account costs and prices for the year ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16637/14]

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Ciara Conway

Question:

400. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water has taken on board the fact that the group water scheme sector has ten times greater lengths of watermains per consumer connection to operate and maintain when compared with the public mains now operated by Irish Water, but that this rural sector has ten times fewer customers on which to levy charges; if this will be considered in any review of funding requirements for the rural group water scheme sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16638/14]

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Ciara Conway

Question:

401. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the existing legislation for taking charge of group water schemes, if his Department is aware of the need for, and is working to address the immediate need to develop policies and procedures around drinking water provision outlining in detail the roles and responsibilities of various entities including his Department, local authorities, Health Service Executive, EPA, Irish Water, GWS and NFGWS, regarding function and how they should interact to ensure efficient take over when the need arises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16639/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 399 to 401, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to 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 will decide on the proposed approaches to be taken in relation to the free allowance in the near future including how any such decision might be reflected in the subsidy arrangements that currently exist for the Group Water Sector.

The Water Services (No.2) Act 2013 provides Irish Water with the power to charge for water services. The Act also provides that the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) will be responsible for the economic regulation of Irish water and the charges to be levied by Irish Water will be subject to the approval of the CER. The CER has already undertaken public consultations on the development of the economic regulatory framework for water services and will be undertaking further consultations during 2014. Water charges will not commence until 1 October 2014 and the first bills will be issued by Irish Water to households from January 2015.

Group Water Schemes that are supplied by way of a connection to the public water supply network will now become customers of Irish Water, having previously been customers of the relevant local authority. Group Water Schemes that have their own water sources will not be customers of Irish Water and will continue to operate as before.

My Department will remain responsible for the overall policy and funding, where appropriate, of the non-public water sector, including the group water sector. Over the past decade, substantial improvements have been made in the group water sector, reflected in improved infrastructure and management and leading to greater compliance with drinking water standards. This has been accomplished through a partnership approach between my Department, the local authorities and the group water sector itself, with the important involvement of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes. The co-operative approach will be maintained as the reform of water services provision is progressed.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 also provides for the transfer of water services functions from the 34 water services authorities to Irish Water. Under the legislation, Irish Water now has the powers previously held by local authorities in relation to the takeover of Group Water Schemes and this means that Irish Water may acquire by agreement a waterworks or waste water works, but subject generally to not fewer than two thirds of those entitled to dispose of it (typically the members of a group water services scheme) giving their consent.

Where local authorities had, at the request of Group Water Schemes, already taken them into charge before 31 December 2013, the schemes’ networks now form part of the public water supply network being transferred to Irish Water. 

My Department asked Irish Water to put in place specific arrangements to address the queries which public representatives may have in relation to matters pertaining to the operation of water services under the new utility. I understand that Irish Water has made contact with Oireachtas members to outline the arrangements for addressing such queries in a timely manner.

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