Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
1460 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of water meters and the length of time it will take to install them in the Dublin city area. [32219/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra1466 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in relation to the proposed introduction of domestic water charges, any preparatory work has been put into the way apartment dwellers will be charged; and if individual water meters will be installed in each apartment or will it be up to management companies to control the supply and resultant charges. [32398/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra1500 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans that are proposed or in place to install water meters in private homes and the estimated costs of the installation of these meters. [33137/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1460, 1466 and 1500 together.
The renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce charges for water in a way that is fair, significantly reduces waste and is easily applied. Proposals are being developed by my Department on the approach to be taken to the installation of water meters in households connected to public water supplies, including households in apartment blocks and other multi-occupancy buildings. The proposals will take account of international practice in relation to metering.
The costs of installing meters in the Dublin city area, like in other local authority areas, will depend on a number of factors including the costs of the meters, the tender proposals that are received during the procurement process and the number of properties which had meter boxes installed during construction. These factors will vary the costs of metering both within and across local authorities.
