Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
695. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Irish Water can charge consumers who fall within the scheme for water usage in circumstances in which a public group water scheme is still legally held in ownership by a voluntary community trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21101/22]
View answerPublic Group Water Schemes are currently charged for the use of water (and wastewater service if applicable) in accordance with the billing practice that applied prior to the establishment of Irish Water. For most such schemes, the scheme itself is Irish Water’s customer, rather than the individuals within it. It is not a matter for Irish Water to determine how a public Group Water Scheme chooses to charge its members.
In this regard, it should be noted that my Department provides funding through an annual subsidy, payable by local authorities, towards the operational and management costs of group water schemes supplying water for domestic use.
The charging arrangements for Irish Water customers is a matter in the first instance for Irish Water. Any issues, which cannot be resolved by Irish Water to the satisfaction of the customer can be referred under the formal complaints process to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) whose decision on the matter is binding on Irish Water.
On 10 February 2022, the CRU published a proposed decision paper on updated charging arrangements for public Group Water Schemes and invited responses on the proposed decision. The response period is now closed, and the CRU will finalise its paper in due course.
It may also be helpful to note that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
