Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
414. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the development contribution relating to water services which has been paid to Irish Water by each local authority since 2014 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37534/22]
View answerSince 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels in accordance with Section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. This includes the connection of new developments to the public water services system.
In line with the creation of Irish Water, development contribution levies were adjusted by Planning authorities to ensure that the inclusion of any relevant portion in respect of water services infrastructure was discontinued. Circular PS 21/2013 issued by my Department to Planning authorities on 30 December 2013, setting out revised procedures in relation to the application of development contribution levies. Thus development contributions applied in respect of planning permissions granted on or after 1 January 2014 no longer include a portion in respect of water services infrastructure. Planning authorities were further advised that any new development contribution schemes made after 1 January 2014 should no longer contain charges in respect of water services infrastructure.
Responsibility for the independent economic regulation of Irish Water has been assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. In accordance with Part V of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, the Commission is responsible for the determination of the charges, including connection charges, and charging arrangements, that shall apply to new customers seeking to connect to the water and waste water networks operated by Irish Water.
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.
