Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
673. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider a continuance of the capped charge for Irish Water's household billing for persons of pensionable age, or those who would satisfy a certain means and household composition assessment similar to that applied to the household benefits package or the fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35962/15]
View answer674. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current proposals within his Department with specific regard to the future of the cap on household water charges that is currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35963/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 673 and 674 together.
A revised water charges regime was announced by the Government on 19 November 2014. The capped annual charges are €160 for single adult households and €260 for all other households until the end of 2018. Through conservation of water those on metered supply can reduce their costs and pay less than the capped costs. The benefit of capped charges is that all households will know what their maximum water bills will be until the end of 2018.
Under the Water Services (No.2) Act 2013, Irish Water is obliged to charge customers connected to the public water or waste water systems for services provided. Households who do not register with Irish Water will receive a default bill for €260 per annum per dwelling. In addition, such households will not be entitled to the €100 water conservation grant for their primary dwelling. Various easy-pay options are available through post offices or other payment providers. The overall net cost for those who register is either €1.15 a week for single adult households or €3 a week for all others.
This charging structure makes water charges affordable, simpler and fairer, providing more clarity and certainty to households. The intention is that average charges will continue to be kept low through ongoing subvention to Irish Water and the Government has legislated in the Water Services Act 2014 so that domestic charges from 2019 onwards can continue to be subject to caps set by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
