Water Charges

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Questions (1823)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1823. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a person must produce a receipt showing they paid domestic water charges now that they are abolished in view of the fact that when persons are selling their houses, including local authorities selling a house under the tenant purchase scheme, persons are required to produce a receipt for a charge that does not exist, especially in situations in which the charge was never paid; the position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1723/18]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

The Water Services Act 2017 (No. 29 of 2017), which was enacted on 17 November 2017, reflects the recommendations of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services, which was published in April 2017 and approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Act provides for the discontinuance of domestic water charges for dwellings as set out in the Water Services Act 2014 and for the refund of domestic charges paid by customers. It also repealed section 3A of the Water Services Act 2014, which provided that upon the sale of a property, a certificate of discharge was required from Irish Water to show that the relevant water charges had been paid. This repeal is provided for in section 5(1)(b)(ii) of the 2017 Act.