Water Charges Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2015

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Questions (587)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

587. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is in a position to fully appreciate the considerable difficulties which have been placed on families by the failure of Irish Water legislation to properly take account of situations in which an adult person with complicated care needs is living in the family home; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many such adults have little or no income or capacity to earn income, yet are treated the same as an able-bodied adult in terms of liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8114/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

A new water charging regime was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The capped annual charges will be €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. All households will know what their capped bills will be until the end of 2018, which is particularly important for larger households or those with high usage due to medical needs.

In addition, a water conservation grant of €100 per year will be available to qualifying households. The Department of Social Protection will administer the grant on behalf of my Department, which will be available to households (principal private dwellings) that complete a valid response to Irish Water’s customer registration process.

The water conservation grant replaces the tax rebate and social protection measures previously announced and is a more straightforward means of addressing water issues for all households on equal terms and will reduce households’ outlay on water services both now and in the future.