I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 300 together.
With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and that the water charges plan prepared by Irish Water is subject to the approval of the CER.
Under the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for repair and maintenance of the internal water distribution system from the main stopcock to the house and within the house rests with the homeowner. However, the Government has agreed to provide additional funding to Irish Water for their capital investment to include a free first fix scheme.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has decided that where a customer leak has been identified under the ‘first fix’ policy, the customers’ charges will be capped at the assessed level until the leak is fixed by Irish Water. Irish Water has made a proposal to the CER regarding a ‘first fix’ policy and it is understood that the CER intend to hold a public consultation in advance of a decision and implementation of the scheme in January 2015.
Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 278 278.