Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
81. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that residential developers still have to pay Irish Water up front and that the recent announcements by the Government will not give any immediate relief to developers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26475/23]
View answerOn 25 April 2023, the Government approved additional measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and assist the achievement of the housing delivery targets set in Housing for All, while also addressing cost and viability issues faced by the construction sector. These measures included the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “section 48” development contributions, and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges.
The Uisce Éireann standard water and wastewater connection charges referenced in the new Government support package will still have to be paid upfront by developers in the normal manner, with the monies being subsequently refunded by Uisce Éireann on notification of the commencement of works. This is a rebate, rather than a waiver arrangement as Uisce Éireann connection applications, in general, are paid in advance of site commencement.
Under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, Uisce Éireann is required to collect charges, where relevant, from its customers in accordance with a water charges plan, detailing tariffs and charging arrangements, as approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). This includes charges for new connections to the public water and wastewater service networks. The new rebate scheme preserves this water charging policy as approved by the CRU in the Water Charges Plan and set down in legislation.
The new schemes apply for 1 year to all permitted residential development:
• that commences on site between 25 April 2023 (the date of the Government Decision approving the measure) and 24 April 2024, and
• is completed not later than 31 December 2025.
This end date is to facilitate large schemes to be speedily brought forward and progressed, while also incentivising their completion as quickly as possible within a reasonable timeframe and delivering urgent housing supply.
My Department is currently working on the detailed arrangements in relation to the operation and administration of both the waiver and refund schemes. These arrangements will be agreed with local authorities and Uisce Éireann as soon as possible.
