Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
475. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the charging for water by Irish Water will impact on building and home improvement costs; and if his Department has examined the possible impact on buildings insurance should water charges increase cost of rebuilding. [35466/14]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and the CER has been given statutory responsibility for protecting the interests of customers.
The introduction of water charges is a key element of the Government’s strategy to create a sustainable funding model for water services. The water metering programme will ensure that the system of charges is fair and equitable. The impact on home improvement costs or rebuilding costs were not considerations in this regard. The CER will be considering Irish Water’s charges for connecting to the water services network later in 2014. Pending approval of these charges, there have been no changes to the charges levied for connection to the water services network.
