Irish Water Remit

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2014

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

Ceisteanna (297, 300)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

297. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the precise charging formula which will apply in cases where water leaks are discovered inside a customer's property; if he will clarify that, once the capped rate no longer applies, the amount of water wasted from when a leak develops to when it is discovered will be a chargeable amount either under the fix first policy or subsequently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38852/14]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

300. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the first fix free policy will apply to all leaks in cases where there are multiple leaks discovered; if the full policy will apply if multiple leaks are discovered at intermittent stages but all arise from the same event for example an extreme weather occurrence such as heavy rain or severe frost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38855/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 300 together.

With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and that the water charges plan prepared by Irish Water is subject to the approval of the CER.

Under the Water Services Act 2007, responsibility for repair and maintenance of the internal water distribution system from the main stopcock to the house and within the house rests with the homeowner. However, the Government has agreed to provide additional funding to Irish Water for their capital investment to include a free first fix scheme.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has decided that where a customer leak has been identified under the ‘first fix’ policy, the customers’ charges will be capped at the assessed level until the leak is fixed by Irish Water. Irish Water has made a proposal to the CER regarding a ‘first fix’ policy and it is understood that the CER intend to hold a public consultation in advance of a decision and implementation of the scheme in January 2015.

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to [e-mail] or by telephone on 1890 278 278.