Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
119. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost of maintaining the suspension of water charges in 2018; the estimated impact of a continued suspension on fiscal space in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7907/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, responsibility for Irish Water rests with my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Mr. Simon Coveney TD. His Department has informed my Department that the revenue loss in 2018 of a continued suspension of domestic water charges is estimated to be in the region of €217 million in cash terms. This would reduce general government revenue in 2018 by the same amount.
With regard to fiscal space, there would be no impact in 2018 arising from the continued suspension of domestic water charges as this would represent a continuation of the policy prevailing in 2017 and there would be no revenue from domestic water charges in either year.
