Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1403. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason persons are still being charged for water that has been tested as unfit for human consumption; his plans to make water fit for human consumption in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30809/15]
View answerWith effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. One of the utility’s key objectives is to provide safe, clean drinking water on a consistent basis and improving water quality is prioritised in its capital investment strategy. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water shall 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 CER has stated that where water is unfit for human consumption, i.e. where a boil water notice has been issued, or where a customer is subject to a drinking water restriction notice, affected customers will receive a 100% discount to the water supply portion of their bill for the duration of the restriction. The CER has a statutory responsibility under the Water Services Act 2014 to provide a complaints resolution service to Irish Water customers with an unresolved dispute with Irish Water. Following investigation and where a complaint is upheld, the CER has the power to direct Irish Water to resolve a complaint in a certain manner and, where appropriate, to pay a refund or compensation.
I have no role in monitoring or supervising the delivery of water services or in the issuing of water restriction notices or waiving of water charges.
