Barry Cowen
Question:487. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of changes to the water charges system introduced since 1 October 2014. [42834/14]
View answerTuesday, 11 November 2014
Questions (487, 493)
Michael McGrath
Question:493. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if changes to the water charges structure require the approval of the Commission for Energy Regulation; if he is consulting with the CER in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42855/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 493 together.
With 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 approach to charging was outlined by Irish Water in a water charges plan which it submitted to the CER in line with the provisions of the Act. On 30 September 2014 , the CER issued a determination on the plan and full details and associated documentation are available on the CER website at the following link:www.cer.ie/document-detail/CER-Water-Charges-Plan-Consultation/979.
No changes have been made to the water charges plan since the CER determination. Consideration is currently being given to measures to bring the necessary certainty and clarity to the charging structure to ensure water charges are modest and affordable.