Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2014
212. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost to the State of the provision of free water allowances in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45761/14]
View answerIn the case of primary dwellings registered with Irish Water and where a meter is installed, an allowance of 21,000 litres per annum will be provided in respect of each child under the age of 18 ordinarily resident in the dwelling. In the case of unmetered dwellings with children, the capped charge to apply is based on the numbers of adults in the dwelling i.e a single adult dwelling or a multi-adult dwelling; the average expected number of children in these households can however be derived from census data. The estimated total cost to Government of providing 21,000 litres to each child residing in properties that are customers of Irish Water (metered and unmetered) is some €89 million in 2015.
In addition to the free allowance for children water charges are now capped at €160 for single adult households and €260 for multi-adult households.
