Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 April 2015
183. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of payments made by his Department and by the local government fund to Irish Water in 2014 and 2015; the potential consequences for State aid in relation to these payments; the analysis he has carried out in respect of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13553/15]
View answerIrish Water received a subvention of some €439 million from the Local Government Fund in 2014 for operational expenditure, to fund water-related expenditures incurred heretofore by local authorities and which would, historically, have been met by local authorities from their own resources, non-domestic water charge revenues and general purpose grants from the Fund.
An amount of €399m has been allocated from the LGF in 2015 in respect of an operational subvention to Irish Water. This subvention will be paid in respect of the child allowance (21,000 litres per child per annum), a product subsidy and capping domestic water charges. In addition, provision has been made for the provision of a working capital loan to Irish Water of up to €96m in 2015.
My Department is satisfied that state aid rules do not impact on the Irish Water funding model, as Irish Water, as a State company providing public water services, is operating a service of general economic interest.
